Interrogatories and Admission Requests

Part 4, Title 4, Chapter 17 of the California Code of Civil Procedure deals with form interrogatories and requests for admission under the Civil Discovery Act. Section 2033.710 required the Judicial Council to develop and approve official form interrogatories and requests for admission of the genuineness of any relevant documents or of the truth of any relevant matters of fact for use in any civil action in a state court based on personal injury, property damage, wrongful death, unlawful detainer, breach of contract, family law, or fraud and for any other civil actions the Judicial Council deems appropriate.

Section 2033.720 required the Judicial Council to develop and approve official form interrogatories for use by a victim who has not received complete payment of a restitution order. Also, a victim may propound the form interrogatories approved pursuant to this section once each calendar year. The defendant subject to the restitution order is required to provide current information as specified.

Section 2033.730 provides that, in developing the form interrogatories and requests for admission, the Judicial Council has to consult with a representative advisory committee which includes representatives of five specified groups. Also, the form interrogatories and requests for admission had to be drafted in nontechnical language.

Section 2033.740 specifies that use of the form interrogatories and requests for admission approved by the Judicial Council is optional. They have to be made available through the office of the clerk of the appropriate trial court.