Code of Civil Procedure § 2024.020 – Time for Completion of Discovery
Free Consultation Request
Code of Civil Procedure § 2024.020 – Time for Completion of Discovery
Code of Civil Procedure – CCP
PART 4. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS [1855 – 2107]
( Heading of Part 4 amended by Stats. 1965, Ch. 299. )TITLE 4. CIVIL DISCOVERY ACT [2016.010 – 2036.050]
( Title 4 added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 182, Sec. 23. )CHAPTER 8. Time for Completion of Discovery [2024.010 – 2024.060]
( Chapter 8 added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 182, Sec. 23. )California Law
2024.020.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, any party shall be entitled as a matter of right to complete discovery proceedings on or before the 30th day, and to have motions concerning discovery heard on or before the 15th day, before the date initially set for the trial of the action.
(b) Except as provided in Section 2024.050, a continuance or postponement of the trial date does not operate to reopen discovery proceedings.
(Added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 182, Sec. 23. Effective January 1, 2005. Operative July 1, 2005, by Sec. 64 of Ch. 182.)
California Law Summary
This statute establishes the deadline for completing discovery in California civil cases. It is designed to ensure that all discovery activities are concluded well in advance of trial to promote judicial efficiency and fairness.
Key Provisions:
General Rule:
All discovery proceedings must be completed on or before the 30th day before the date initially set for trial.Definition of “Completed”:
Discovery is considered completed when:Responses to written discovery (interrogatories, document demands, etc.) have been served, and
Depositions have been fully conducted and concluded.
Impact of Trial Continuance:
A continuance of the trial date does not automatically reopen discovery. A motion must be made to request additional discovery after the cutoff.
Purpose
To provide a clear cutoff for pretrial discovery activities, allowing parties and the court to focus on trial preparation and avoid last-minute discovery disputes.
Application
Attorneys must ensure all depositions, expert discovery, and written discovery responses are fully completed at least 30 days before trial. Missing this deadline may result in exclusion of evidence or witnesses unless the court grants relief for good cause.
