Code of Civil Procedure § 2024.020 – Time for Completion of Discovery
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California Code of Civil Procedure § 2024.020 – Discovery Cutoff Deadlines in California Civil Cases
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 Code of Civil Procedure § 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.)
CCP § 2024.020
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.
When Does Discovery “Close”?
The statute uses the term “initial trial date” meaning the first date set by the court, even if it’s later continued. That’s important.
For example, if your trial is first scheduled for October 1, 2025, then:
All non-expert discovery must be completed by September 1, 2025 (30 days before).
Any motion to compel discovery must be heard by September 16, 2025 (15 days before).
Changing or continuing the trial date does not automatically extend discovery — unless the court explicitly orders otherwise.
Why This Rule Matters
California courts enforce discovery cutoffs strictly. If you miss the deadline:
You cannot serve new discovery requests (interrogatories, requests for production, etc.)
You cannot compel a response or take depositions
You risk being unprepared at trial due to missing critical evidence
In personal injury and civil litigation, waiting too long can mean losing the opportunity to uncover key medical records, witness testimony, or liability documents.
Exceptions & Judicial Discretion
Courts may grant relief from the cutoff under limited conditions. If discovery is critical and you can show:
Good cause for delay, and
No prejudice to the opposing party,
The court may allow late discovery or extend the motion deadline. But this is discretionary, and judges may deny such requests if they feel the party was not diligent.
Related California Laws
CCP § 2024.010 – Discovery scope and limits
CCP § 2024.030 – Continuances and discovery extensions
California Rules of Court, Rule 3.1330 – Motions to compel
How This Applies in Practice
Let’s say you’re suing for serious injuries after a car accident. You expect the defendant’s cell phone records, employment history, and video surveillance footage to be game-changing evidence. If you haven’t served those discovery requests at least 30 days before trial, you likely won’t be able to and you can’t file a motion to compel responses after that 15-day mark.
This can cripple your case at trial.
