Case 2:17-cv-00094-JCC Document 4 Filed 01/26/17 Page 1 of 3

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON
AT SEATTLE

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ABDIQAFAR WAGAFE et al.,

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Plaintiff (s),
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CASE NO.
2:17−cv−00094−JCC

v.
UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP
AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES et
al.,

ORDER REGARDING DISCOVERY
AND DEPOSITIONS

Defendant (s).

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IT IS ORDERED that:

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(l) DISCOVERY. All discovery matters are to be resolved by agreement if

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possible. If a ruling is needed as to any discovery questions, and counsel wish to avoid

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the time and expenses of a written motion, they may obtain an expedited ruling through

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a telephone conference call to the court at (206) 370−8800. The parties are notified that,

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per Chambers practice, a law clerk will typically field the call and relate the issues to

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Judge Coughenour for his consideration.

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(2) DEPOSITIONS. Depositions will be conducted in compliance with the
following rules:
(a) Examination. If there are multiple parties, each side should ordinarily

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designate one attorney to conduct the main examination of the deponent, and any

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questioning by other counsel on that side should be limited to matters not

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previously covered.

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(b) Objections. The only objections that should be raised at the deposition
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are those involving a privilege against disclosure, or some matter that may be

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remedied if presented at the time (such as the form of the question or the

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responsiveness of the answer), or that the question seeks information beyond

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the scope of discovery. Objections on other grounds are unnecessary and should

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generally be avoided. All objections should be concise and must not suggest

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answers to, or otherwise coach, the deponent. Argumentative interruptions

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will not be permitted.

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(c) Directions Not to Answer. Directions to the deponent not to answer

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are improper, except on the ground of privilege or to enable a party or deponent

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to present a motion to the court or special master for termination of the deposition

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on the ground that it is being conducted in bad faith or in such a manner as

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unreasonably to annoy, embarrass or oppress the party or the deponent, or for

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appropriate limitations upon the scope of the depositions (e.g., on the ground that

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the line of inquiry is not relevant nor reasonably calculated to lead to the

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discovery of admissible evidence). When a privilege is claimed, the witness should

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nevertheless answer questions relevant to the existence, extent or waiver of the

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privilege, such as the date of the communication, who made the statement in

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question, to whom and in whose presence the statement was made, other persons to

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whom the statement was made, other persons to whom the contents of the

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statement have been disclosed, and the general subject matter of the statement.

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(d) Responsiveness. Witnesses will be expected to answer all questions

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directly and without evasion, to the extent of their testimonial knowledge, unless

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directed by counsel not to answer.

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(e) Private Consultation. Private conferences between deponents and

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their attorneys during the actual taking of the deposition are improper, except

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for the purpose of determining whether a privilege should be asserted. Unless
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prohibited by the court for good cause shown, such conferences may, however,

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be held during normal recesses and adjournments.

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(f) Conduct of Examining Counsel. Examining counsel will refrain from

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asking questions he or she knows to be beyond the legitimate scope of discovery,

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and from undue repetition.

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(g) Courtroom Standard. All counsel and parties should conduct

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themselves in depositions with the same courtesy and respect for the rules that are

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required in the courtroom during trial.

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(3) RESPONSIBILITY OF PLAINTIFF'S COUNSEL. This order is issued at

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the outset of the case, and a copy is delivered by the clerk to counsel for plaintiff.

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Plaintiff's counsel (or plaintiff, if pro se) is directed to deliver a copy of this order to

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each other party within ten (l0) days after receiving notice of that party's appearance.

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DATED: January 26, 2017

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/s/ John C. Coughenour
John C. Coughenour
United States District Judge

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