Terms Used In Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure 1448

  • Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
  • Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
  • Deposition: An oral statement made before an officer authorized by law to administer oaths. Such statements are often taken to examine potential witnesses, to obtain discovery, or to be used later in trial.
  • Partnership: A voluntary contract between two or more persons to pool some or all of their assets into a business, with the agreement that there will be a proportional sharing of profits and losses.
  • Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.
  • Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.

A.  After commencement of the action, any party may take the testimony of any person, including a party, by deposition upon written questions.  The attendance of witnesses may be compelled by the use of subpoena as for witnesses in trials.  The deposition of a person confined in prison may be taken only by leave of court on such terms as the court prescribes.

B.  A party desiring to take a deposition upon written questions shall serve them upon every other party with a notice stating the name and address of the person who is to answer them, if known, and if the name is not known, a general description sufficient to identify him or the particular class or group to which he belongs, and the name or descriptive title and address of the officer before whom the deposition is to be taken.  A deposition upon written questions may be taken of a public or private corporation or a partnership or association or governmental agency in accordance with the provisions of Article 1442.

C.  Within thirty days after the notice and written questions are served, a party may serve cross questions upon all other parties.  Within ten days after being served with cross questions, a party may serve redirect questions upon all other parties.  Within ten days after being served with redirect questions, a party may serve recross questions upon all other parties.  The court may for cause shown enlarge or shorten the time.

Acts 1976, No. 574, §1.