Discovery

16.401(1) Service of discovery materials. a. Service. Parties may serve requests for discovery, responses to discovery, and notices of deposition by email on registered filers. Ch 16, p.18 ELECTRONIC PROCEDURE March 2025 b. Time service occurs. When service is made by email, the time to respond is computed according to the Iowa Rules of Civil Procedure. 16.401(2) Filing notice of discovery requests and responses. Parties must file a notice with the court when serving a request for discovery, a response to discovery, or a notice of deposition on another party. The notice must identify the document served and include the date, manner of service, and the names and addresses of the persons served. This rule only requires the filing of a notice of deposition or a notice indicating that a discovery request or response was made. Parties should continue to follow the Iowa Rules of Civil Procedure with respect to the filing of discovery materials. COMMENT: Rule 16.401(2). This rule adds a layer of protection for parties. Registered filers’ computer filters may occasionally filter out an emailed discovery request or response. Rule 16.401(2) ensures that registered filers will at least know they should have received a discovery document. [Court Order November 21, 2016, temporarily effective November 21, 2016, permanently effective February 1, 2017] [Court Order November 21, 2016, temporarily effective November 21, 2016, permanently effective February 1, 2017]