IN THE MATTER OF THE AMENDMENT
OF SDCL 15-6-31(a) RULE 06-26
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

    A hearing was held on February 16, 2006, at Pierre, South Dakota, relating to the amendment of SDCL 15-6-31(a), and the Court having considered the proposed amendment, the correspondence and oral presentations relating thereto and being fully advised in the premises, now, therefore, it is

    ORDERED that SDCL 15-6-31(a) be and it is hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows:

     15-6-31(a).   Serving questions--Notice. After commencement of the action, any party may take the testimony of any person, including a party, by deposition upon written questions. The attendance of witnesses may be compelled by the use of subpoena as provided in § 15-6-45. The deposition of a person confined in prison may be taken only by leave of court on such terms as the court prescribes. Deposition by written questions of a person who has already been deposed in the case may only be taken with the consent of the deponent and parties, or by leave of the court.

     A party desiring to take a deposition upon written questions shall serve them upon every other party with a notice stating (1) the name and address of the person who is to answer them, if known, and if the name is not known, a general description sufficient to identify him the person or the particular class or group to which he the person belongs, and (2) the name or descriptive title and address of the officer before whom the deposition is to be taken. A deposition upon written questions may be taken of a public or private corporation or a partnership or association or governmental agency in accordance with the provisions of subdivision 15-6-30(b)(6).

     Within thirty fourteen days after the notice and written questions are served, a party may serve cross-questions upon all other parties. Within ten seven days after being served with cross-questions, a party may serve redirect questions upon all other parties. Within ten seven days after being served with redirect questions, a party may serve recross-questions upon all other parties. The court may for cause shown enlarge or shorten the time.

    IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this rule shall become effective July 1, 2006.

    DATED at Pierre, South Dakota, this 17th day of March 2006.

---

_______________