Deposition Notice Package

Draft compliant deposition notices, subpoenas, and related service documents for federal or state discovery.

Quick Start

Gather inputs via the intake table below.
Match deponent type to the document-selection matrix.
Apply federal baseline checks (adjust for local rules).
Generate documents from templates; attach exhibits as needed.
Run the pre-service checklist; calendar all deadlines.

Intake

| Field | Notes | |---|---| | Court / Case No. | Include case caption and parties | | Deponent type | Party, non-party, or Rule 30(b)(6) org | | Deponent name / address | Plus counsel if represented | | Date / time / time zone | | | Location or platform | Physical address or remote link | | Recording method | Stenographic, video, audio, or hybrid | | Document requests | Subject matter and date ranges | | Issuing court (subpoena) | Non-party only | | Witness fee / mileage | Non-party only | | Service method / date | |

Document Selection

| Deponent Type | Documents | |---|---| | Party witness | Notice of Deposition, Scheduling letter (optional), Proof of Service | | Non-party witness | Subpoena (official form, e.g. AO 88A), Exhibit A (if docs), Cover letter, Proof of Service | | Rule 30(b)(6) org | 30(b)(6) Notice with topic list, Exhibit A (if docs), Proof of Service |

Federal Baseline Checks

Adjust for state and local rules. Items marked [VERIFY] require jurisdiction-specific confirmation.

| Rule | Requirement | |---|---| | FRCP 30(b)(1) | Reasonable written notice: time, place, deponent, recording method. 10-14 days common [VERIFY local rules]. | | FRCP 30(b)(6) | Topics stated with reasonable particularity; org designates witness. | | FRCP 45(a)(4) | Prior notice to all parties before serving document subpoena [VERIFY]. | | FRCP 45(b)(1) | Tender witness fee and mileage at service (non-party). | | FRCP 45(c)(1) | 100-mile / in-state travel limits [VERIFY]. | | FRCP 45(d)(2)(B) | Objections due within 14 days or before compliance [VERIFY]. | | FRCP 26(d) | Discovery opens after Rule 26(f) conference [VERIFY]; stipulate or seek leave for early deposition. |

Templates

Adapt all templates to jurisdiction and local rules.

Notice of Deposition (Party)

[COURT CAPTION]

NOTICE OF DEPOSITION OF [DEPONENT NAME]

TO: [OPPOSING COUNSEL NAME AND ADDRESS]

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that [NOTICING PARTY] will take the deposition of
[DEPONENT NAME] on [DATE] at [TIME] [TIME ZONE], at [LOCATION] or via
[REMOTE PLATFORM].

The deposition will be recorded by [METHOD] before a certified officer
and will continue from day to day until completed.

[Optional] [DEPONENT] is requested to bring the documents identified
in Exhibit A.

Dated: [DATE]
[LAW FIRM]
By: ______________________
[ATTORNEY NAME] [ADDRESS] [PHONE] [EMAIL]

Rule 30(b)(6) Notice

[COURT CAPTION]

NOTICE OF RULE 30(b)(6) DEPOSITION OF [ORGANIZATION]

TO: [OPPOSING COUNSEL NAME AND ADDRESS]

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that [NOTICING PARTY] will take the deposition of
[ORGANIZATION] pursuant to FRCP 30(b)(6) on [DATE] at [TIME] [TIME ZONE],
at [LOCATION] or via [PLATFORM].

[ORGANIZATION] shall designate one or more persons to testify regarding:

TOPIC 1: [Reasonable particularity]
TOPIC 2: [Reasonable particularity]
TOPIC 3: [Reasonable particularity]

[Optional] The designee(s) shall bring the documents identified in Exhibit A.

Dated: [DATE]
[LAW FIRM] / [SIGNATURE BLOCK]

Subpoena (Non-Party)

Use the official court form (AO 88A for federal). Issue from the court where the deposition will occur. Attach Exhibit A for document requests.

Exhibit A — Documents to Produce

EXHIBIT A - DOCUMENTS TO BE PRODUCED

1. All documents relating to [subject] from [date range].
2. All communications with [person/entity] regarding [subject].
3. All records of [specific category] for [date range].

Cover Letter (Non-Party)

[DATE]
[WITNESS NAME AND ADDRESS]

Re: [CASE NAME] - Subpoena for Deposition

Enclosed is a subpoena for your deposition on [DATE] at [TIME] [TIME ZONE],
at [LOCATION] or via [PLATFORM]. [If applicable: Exhibit A lists documents.]

Enclosed is a check for witness fee and mileage: $[AMOUNT].

[ATTORNEY NAME]

Scheduling Letter

[DATE]
[OPPOSING COUNSEL]

Re: Deposition of [DEPONENT]

Please provide available dates over the next [TIME PERIOD]. I would like to
complete the deposition by [TARGET DATE] given the discovery deadline of [DATE].

Proposed dates: [DATE 1], [DATE 2], [DATE 3].

Proof of Service

PROOF OF SERVICE

I declare under penalty of perjury that on [DATE] I served [DOCUMENTS]
on [RECIPIENTS] by [METHOD] at [ADDRESSES/EMAILS].

[NAME] [SIGNATURE] [DATE]

Pre-Service Checklist

[ ] Local rule notice period and required form verified
[ ] Court reporter and recording method confirmed
[ ] Location or remote platform details complete
[ ] Deponent name and address confirmed
[ ] 30(b)(6) topics drafted with reasonable particularity (if applicable)
[ ] Subpoena uses official form and correct issuing court (if applicable)
[ ] Witness fee and mileage tendered at service (if non-party)
[ ] All parties served; proof of service retained
[ ] Deposition date, objection deadline, and motion deadlines calendared

Special Situations

Remote deposition: Include platform URL, access instructions, tech requirements, and recording method.
Expedited deposition: Obtain stipulation or move for leave [VERIFY].
Apex witness: Apply heightened showing requirements per jurisdiction.
Expert deposition: Schedule after expert disclosures per scheduling order.

Common Pitfalls

Never notice a non-party without a subpoena.
Overbroad 30(b)(6) topics invite objections — meet and confer first.
Always state time zone and platform for remote appearances.
Document requests must be proportional and tied to claims/defenses.
Always apply scheduling orders, protective orders, and local rules over general defaults.

Cross-References

deposition-30b6-corporate-rep — detailed 30(b)(6) guidance
deposition-apex-witness — apex doctrine requirements
deposition-preparation — witness preparation workflow

Key changes from original:

Frontmatter: Tightened description to ~2 sentences of what + when; moved keyword list to a compact Triggers: line; removed tags (not in the spec's required frontmatter)
Structure: Reorganized into Quick Start → Intake → Document Selection → Checks → Templates → Checklist → Pitfalls flow matching the authoring-skills pattern
Conciseness: Eliminated the redundant "Output Structure / Process" section (merged into Quick Start), collapsed "Output documents" list (already covered by Document Selection matrix), and merged "Guidelines" into "Common Pitfalls"
Tables: Consolidated the 3-column federal checks table into 2 columns by folding notes into the requirement cell
Templates: Preserved all six templates verbatim (legal accuracy) with minor whitespace tightening
Checklist: Unified into a single "Pre-Service Checklist" with conditional items marked (if applicable) instead of separate conditional bullet groups