§ 13-23. Answers and Objections to Requests for Admission

(a)Each matter of which an admission is requested is admitted unless, within thirty days after the filing of the notice required by Section 13-22 (b), or within such shorter or longer time as the judicial authority may allow, the party to whom the request is directed files and serves upon the party requesting the admission a written answer or objection addressed to the matter, signed by the party or by his attorney. Any such answer or objection shall be inserted directly on the original request. In the event that an answer or objection requires more space than that provided on a request for admission that was not served electronically and in a format that allows the recipient to electronically insert the answers in the transmitted document, it shall be continued on a separate sheet of paper which shall be attached to the response. Documents sought to be admitted by the request shall be filed with the response by the responding party only if they are the subject of an answer or objection. If objection is made, the reasons therefor shall be stated. The answer shall specifically deny the matter or set forth in detail the reasons why the answering party cannot truthfully admit or deny the matter. A denial shall fairly meet the substance of the requested admission, and when good faith requires that a party qualify his or her answer or deny only a part of the matter of which an admission is requested, such party shall specify so much of it as is true and qualify or deny the remainder. An answering party may not give lack of information or knowledge as a reason for failure to admit or deny unless such party states that he or she has made reasonable inquiry and that the information known or readily obtainable by him or her is insufficient to enable an admission or denial. A party who considers that a matter of which an admission has been requested presents a genuine issue for trial may not, on that ground alone, object to the request; the party may deny the matter or set forth reasons why he or she cannot admit or deny it. The responding party shall attach a cover sheet to the response which shall comply with Sections 4-1 and 4-2 and shall specify those requests to which answers and objections are addressed.

(b)The party who has requested the admission may move to determine the sufficiency of the answer or objection. No such motion shall be placed on the short calendar list until an affidavit by either counsel is filed certifying that bona fide attempts have been made to resolve the differences concerning the subject matter of the motion and that counsel have been unable to reach an accord. Unless the judicial authority determines that an objection is justified, it shall order that an answer be served. If the judicial authority determines that an answer does not comply with the requirements of this rule, it may order either that the matter is admitted or that an amended answer be served. The judicial authority may, in lieu of these orders, determine that final disposition of the request be made at a designated time prior to trial.