§ RULE 2.310 REQUESTS FOR PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS AND OTHER THINGS; ENTRY ON LAND FOR INSPECTION AND OTHER PURPOSES

RULE 2.310 REQUESTS FOR PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS AND OTHER THINGS; ENTRY ON LAND FOR INSPECTION AND OTHER PURPOSES

(A) Definitions. For the purpose of this rule,

(1) “Documents” includes writings, drawings, graphs, charts, photographs, phono records, and other data compilations from which information can be obtained, translated, if necessary, by the respondent through detection devices into reasonably usable form.

(2) “Entry on land” means entry upon designated land or other property in the possession or control of the person on whom the request is served for the purpose of inspecting, measuring, surveying, photographing, testing, or sampling the property or a designated object or operation on the property, within the scope of MCR 2.302(B).

(B) Scope.

(1) A party may serve on another party a request

(a) to produce and permit the requesting party, or someone acting for that party,

(i) to inspect and copy designated documents or

(ii) to inspect and copy, test, or sample other tangible things that constitute or contain matters within the scope of MCR 2.302(B) and that are in the possession, custody, or control of the party on whom the request is served; or

(b) to permit entry on land.

(2) A party may serve on a nonparty a request

(a) to produce and permit the requesting party or someone acting for that party to inspect and test or sample tangible things that constitute or contain matters within the scope of MCR 2.302(B) and that are in the possession, custody, or control of the person on whom the request is served; or

(b) to permit entry on land.

(1) The request may, without leave of court, be served on the plaintiff after commencement of the action and on the defendant with or after the service of the summons and complaint on that defendant. The request must list the items to be inspected, either by individual item or by category, and describe each item and category with reasonable particularity. The request must specify a reasonable time, place, and manner of making the inspection and performing the related acts, as well as the form or forms in which electronically stored information is to be produced, subject to objection.

(2) The party on whom the request is served must serve a written response within 28 days after service of the request, except that a defendant may serve a response within 42 days after being served with the summons and complaint. The court may allow a longer or shorter time. With respect to each item or category, the response must state that inspection and related activities will be permitted as requested or that the request is objected to, in which event the reasons for objection must be stated. If objection is made to part of an item or category, the part must be specified. If the request does not specify the form or forms in which electronically stored information is to be produced, the party responding to the request must produce the information in a form or forms in which the party ordinarily maintains it, or in a form or forms that is or are reasonably usable. A party producing electronically stored information need only produce the same information in one form.

(3) The party submitting the request may move for an order under MCR 2.313(A) with respect to an objection to or a failure to respond to the request or a part of it, or failure to permit inspection as requested. If the motion is based on a failure to respond to a request, proof of service of the request must be filed with the motion. The motion must state the movant has in good faith conferred or attempted to confer with the party not making the disclosure in an effort to secure the disclosure without court action.

(4) The party to whom the request is submitted may seek a protective order under MCR 2.302(C).

(5) A party who produces documents for inspection shall produce them as they are kept in the usual course of business or shall organize and label them to correspond with the categories in the request.

(6) Unless otherwise ordered by the court for good cause, the party producing items for inspection shall bear the cost of assembling them and the party requesting the items shall bear any copying costs.

(D) Request to Nonparty.

(1) A request to a nonparty may be served at any time, except that leave of the court is required if the plaintiff seeks to serve a request before the occurrence of one of the events stated in MCR 2.306(A)(1).

(2) The request must be served on the person to whom it is directed in the manner provided in MCR 2.105, and a copy must be served on the other parties.

(3) The request must

(a) list the items to be inspected and tested or sampled, either by individual item or by category, and describe each item and category with reasonable particularity,

(b) specify a reasonable time, place, and manner of making the inspection and performing the related acts, and

(c) inform the person to whom it is directed that unless he or she agrees to allow the inspection or entry at a reasonable time and on reasonable conditions, a motion may be filed seeking a court order to require the inspection or entry.

(4) If the person to whom the request is directed does not permit the inspection or entry within 14 days after service of the request (or a shorter time if the court directs), the party seeking the inspection or entry may file a motion to compel the inspection or entry under MCR 2.313(A). The motion must include a copy of the request and proof of service of the request. The movant must serve the motion on the person from whom discovery is sought as provided in MCR 2.105.

(5) The court may order the party seeking discovery to pay the reasonable expenses incurred in complying with the request by the person from whom discovery is sought.

(6) This rule does not preclude an independent action against a nonparty for production of documents and other things and permission to enter on land or a subpoena to a nonparty under MCR 2.305.