In California civil litigation, Requests for Admission (RFAs) are a type of discovery tool used by one party to ask the other party to admit or deny the truth of specific statements of fact or the genuineness of documents relevant to the case. RFAs are designed to narrow down the issues in dispute, clarify admitted facts, and streamline the litigation process. Here’s an overview:
- Purpose: Requests for Admission serve several purposes, including:
- Clarifying undisputed facts to avoid unnecessary litigation over issues that can be agreed upon.
- Narrowing down the scope of the trial by identifying facts that are admitted, which can save time and resources.
- Authenticating documents by asking the opposing party to admit their genuineness or authenticity.
- Content: Requests for Admission consist of statements of fact or the genuineness of documents that one party believes are true and related to the case.
- Procedure:
- Requests for Admission must be in writing and served on the opposing party according to specific rules and timelines set forth in the California Code of Civil Procedure.
- The responding party must provide written responses to each Request for Admission within 30 days after service of the requests (or 35 days if served by mail).
- Responses must admit, deny, or state that the party lacks sufficient information to admit or deny the truth of the statement (in which case the response operates as a denial).
- Use at Trial: Admitted facts from Requests for Admission can streamline trial proceedings by eliminating the need to present evidence or argue about those facts in court.
Requests for Admission are important tools in California civil litigation, helping parties to clarify the issues, streamline the discovery process, and focus on disputed matters that genuinely require resolution by the court. It’s crucial for parties to understand the rules and procedures surrounding Requests for Admission and to work closely with their attorneys to effectively use this discovery tool in their case.