Legal Question in Bankruptcy in California

I am a california resident, have been served a subpeona for deposition and production of documents in an adersary proceeding. The documents commanded are not in my possession or control as they all are work product of a previous employer, who is the defendent in the proceeding. If I am not in possession, do I simply show up at deposition and state that I could not produce or do I need to serve the attorney with Objections under (2)(B) of Form 253. As a courtesy I have emailed the Issuing Attorney notice that I am unable to produce and have asked the same question of him, but have not had a response. United States Bankruptcy Court as defendent is Debtor and Plaintiff is making fraud claim.


Asked on 5/12/10, 4:07 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

David Gibbs The Gibbs Law Firm, APC

You can only produce what you have in your possession. You should not be held liable for failing to produce documents in response to the subpoena if you do not have them in your possession. I would call the attorney who issued the subpoena and have a conversation about the this. Emails often times get overlooked, or not followed up on. With any luck, after discussing it with the attorney, he will cancel the deposition based on your representations and may ask you to sign a declaration to that effect. More likely, however, is that you will have to attend the deposition, and under oath explain that you do not in any way have access to the requested documents. You are still probably going to be asked questions about other matters under oath, and based on the limited facts you have given, I don't see any basis to object to being deposed.

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Answered on 5/19/10, 11:52 am


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