N.H. R. Cir. Ct. Prob. Div. 44

As amended through September 26, 2024
Rule 44 - DEPOSITIONS AND INTERROGATORIES - Refusal to Answer

The deponent, on deposition or on written interrogatory, shall ordinarily be required to answer all questions not subject to privilege or excused by the statute relating to depositions, and it is not grounds for refusal to answer a particular question that the testimony would be inadmissible at the trial if the testimony sought appears reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence and does not violate any privilege.

If any deponent refuses to answer any question propounded on deposition, or any Party fails or refuses to answer any written interrogatory authorized by these Rules, or fails to comply within twenty (20) days after written request to, the Party propounding the question may, upon notice to all Persons affected thereby, apply by Motion to the Court for an order compelling an answer. If the Motion is granted, and if the Court finds that the refusal was without substantial justification or was frivolous or unreasonable, the Court may, and ordinarily will, require the deponent and the Party or Attorney advising the refusal, or any of them, to pay the examining or requesting Party the reasonable expenses incurred in obtaining the order, including reasonable counsel fees.

If the Motion is denied and if the Court finds that the Motion was made without substantial justification or was frivolous or unreasonable, the Court may, and ordinarily will, require the examining Party or the Attorney advising the Motion, or both of them, to pay to the opposing Party or witness the reasonable expenses incurred in opposing the Motion, including reasonable counsel fees.

N.H. R. Cir. Ct. Prob. Div. 44