22Interrogatories

22 Interrogatories

22.1 Interrogatories

(cf SCR Part 24, rules 1–6; DCR Part 22A, rules 1–6)

(1) At any stage of the proceedings, the court may order any party to answer specified interrogatories.

(2) An application for such an order must be accompanied by a copy of the proposed interrogatories.

(3) In the case of proceedings on—

(a) a claim for damages arising out of the death of, or bodily injury to, any person, or

(b) a claim for contribution in relation to damages so arising,

such an order is not to be made unless the court is satisfied that special reasons exist that justify the making of the order.

(4) In any case, such an order is not to be made unless the court is satisfied that the order is necessary at the time it is made.

(5) An order to answer interrogatories—

(a) may require the answers to be given within a specified time, and

(b) may require the answers, or any of them, to be verified by affidavit, and

(c) in circumstances in which rule 35.3 authorises someone other than the party to whom the order is addressed to make the relevant affidavit, may specify the person to make the affidavit, or the persons from whom the person to make the affidavit may be chosen, in relation to the interrogatories or any of them.