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Rule 57.02 – Depositions Before Action or Pending Appeal

May 13, 2021 | Civil Procedure, Missouri

(a) Before Action.

(1) Petition. A person who desires to perpetuate testimony of any person regarding any matter that may be cognizable in any court of Missouri may file a verified petition in the circuit court in the county of the residence of any expected adverse party. The petition shall be captioned in the name of the petitioner and shall show: (1) that the petitioner expects to be a party to an action cognizable in a court of Missouri but is presently unable to bring it or cause it to be brought, (2) the subject matter of the expected action and the petitioner’s interest therein, (3) the facts desired to be established by the proposed testimony and the reasons for desiring to perpetuate it, (4) the names or a description of the persons expected to be adverse parties and their addresses so far as known, and (5) the names and addresses of the persons to be examined and the substance of the testimony that is expected to be elicited from each.

The petitioner shall ask for an order authorizing the taking of the depositions of the persons to be examined named in the petition, for the purpose of perpetuating their testimony.

(2) Notice and Service. The petitioner shall thereafter serve a notice upon each person named in the petition as an expected adverse party, together with a copy of the petition, stating that the petitioner will apply to the court, at a time and place named therein, for the order described in the petition. At least thirty days before the date of hearing, the notice shall be served either within or without the state in the manner provided for service of summons; but if such service cannot with due diligence be made upon any expected adverse party named in the petition, the court may make such order as is just for service by publication or otherwise and shall appoint, for persons not personally served with a summons in this state, an attorney who shall represent them and, in case they are not otherwise represented, shall cross-examine the deponent. If any expected adverse party is a minor or incompetent the provisions of Rule 52.02 apply.
(3) Order and Examination. If the court is satisfied that the perpetuation of the testimony may prevent a failure or delay of justice, it shall make an order designating or describing the persons whose depositions may be taken and specifying the subject matter of the examination and whether the depositions shall be taken upon oral examination or written questions. The depositions may then be taken in accordance with these Rules; and the court may make orders of the kind provided for by Rules 58.01 and 60.01. For the purpose of applying these Rules to depositions for perpetuating testimony, each reference therein to the court in which the action is pending shall be considered as referring to the court in which the petition for such deposition was filed.
(4) Use of Deposition. If a deposition to perpetuate testimony is taken under these Rules, it may be used in any action involving the same subject matter subsequently brought in a court of Missouri, in accordance with the provisions of Rule 57.07.
(b) Pending Appeal. If an appeal has been taken from a judgment of a circuit court or before the taking of an appeal if the time therefor has not expired, the court in which the judgment was rendered may allow the taking of the depositions of witnesses to perpetuate their testimony for use in the event of further proceedings in the circuit court. In such case, the party who desires to perpetuate the testimony may make a motion in the circuit court for leave to take the depositions, upon the same notice and service thereof as if the action were pending in that court. The motion shall show (1) the names and addresses of persons to be examined and the substance of the testimony expected to be elicited from each and (2) the reasons for perpetuating their testimony. If the court finds that the perpetuation of the testimony is proper to avoid a failure or delay of justice, it may make an order allowing the deposition to be taken and may make orders of the character provided for in Rules 58.01 and 60.01, and thereupon the depositions may be taken and used in the same manner and under the same conditions as are prescribed in these rules for depositions taken in actions pending in that court.
(c) Perpetuation by Action. This Rule does not limit the power of a court to entertain an action to perpetuate testimony.

Mo. R. Civ. P. 57.02

Adopted March 29, 1974, eff. Jan. 1, 1975. Amended Sept. 28, 1993, eff. Jan. 1, 1994.

Committee Note – 1974

This is substantially the same as Rule 27 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure except the time period which must elapse between service of notice and the hearing of the petition was lengthened to 30 days.

Compare: Rule 27 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.