Rule ELPOC 10.11 - DISCOVERY AND PREHEARING PROCEDURES(a)General. The parties should cooperate in mutual informal exchange of relevant nonprivileged information to facilitate expeditious, economical, and fair resolution of the case.(b)Requests for Admission. After a formal complaint is filed, the parties may request admissions under CR 36. Under appropriate circumstances, the hearing officer may apply the sanctions in CR 37(c) for improper denial of requests for admission.(c)Other Discovery. After a formal complaint is filed, the parties have the right to other discovery under the Superior Court Civil Rules, including under CR 27-31 and 33-35, only on motion and under terms and limitations the hearing officer deems just or on the parties' stipulation.(d)Limitations on Discovery. The hearing officer may exercise discretion in imposing terms or limitations on the exercise of discovery to assure an expeditious, economical, and fair proceeding, considering all relevant factors including necessity and unavailability by other means, the nature and complexity of the case, seriousness of charges, the formal and informal discovery that has already occurred, the burdens on the party from whom discovery is sought, and the possibility of unfair surprise.(e)Deposition Procedure.(1) Subpoenas for depositions may be issued under CR 45. Subpoenas may be enforced under rule 4.6.(2) For a deposition outside Washington State, a commission need not issue, but a copy of the order of the chief hearing officer or hearing officer, certified by the officer, is sufficient to authorize the deposition.(f)CR 16 Orders. The hearing officer may enter orders under CR 16.(g)Duty to Cooperate. A respondent LPO who has been served with a formal complaint must respond to discovery requests and comply with all lawful orders made by the hearing officer. The hearing officer or panel may draw adverse inferences as appear warranted by the failure of either the Board or the respondent to respond to discovery.Wash. Admi. And. Prac. R. ELPOC 10.11
Adopted effective 1/1/2009.