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Oregon Rules of Civil Procedure
Because the rules of civil procedure
may change from time to time, please
check the
Oregon Courts website
for updated and complete rules of civil procedure
in Oregon.
Rules of Civil Procedure in Oregon:
RULE
7. SUMMONS
A. Definitions.
For purposes of this rule,
"plaintiff" shall include any party
issuing summons and "defendant"
shall include any party upon whom
service of summons is sought. For
purposes of this rule, a "true copy"
of a summons and complaint means an
exact and complete copy of the
original summons and complaint with
a certificate upon the copy signed
by an attorney of record, or if
there is no attorney, by a party,
which indicates that the copy is
exact and complete.
B. Issuance.
Any time after the action is
commenced. plaintiff or plaintiff's
attorney may issue as many original
summonses as either may elect and
deliver such summonses to a person
authorized to serve summons under
section E of this rule. A summons is
issued when subscribed by plaintiff
or an active member of the Oregon
State Bar.
C. Contents; Time for
Response; Notice to Party Served.
- Contents. The summons
shall contain:
- Title. The title of the
cause, specifying the name
of the court in which the
complaint is filed and the
names of the parties to the
action.
- Direction to Defendant.
A direction to the defendant
requiring defendant to
appear and defend within the
time required by subsection
(2) of this section and a
notification to defendant
that in case of failure to
do so, the plaintiff will
apply to the court for the
relief demanded in the
complaint.
- Subscription; Post
Office Address. A
subscription by the
plaintiff or by an active
member of the Oregon State
Bar, with the addition of
the post office address at
which papers in the action
may be served by mail.
- Time for Response.
If the summons is served by any
manner other than publication,
the defendant shall appear and
defend within 30 days from the
date of service. If the summons
is served by publication
pursuant to subsection D(6) of
this rule, the defendant shall
appear and defend within 30 days
from the date stated in the
summons. The date so stated in
the summons shall be the date of
the first publication.
- Notice to Party Served.
- In General All
summonses, other than a
summons referred to in
paragraph (b) or (c) of this
subsection, shall contain a
notice printed in type size
equal to at least 8-point
type which may be
substantially in the
following form:
NOTICE TO DEFENDANT:
READ THESE PAPERS CAREFULLY!
You must "appear" in this
case or the other side will
win automatically. To
"appear" you must file with
the court a legal paper
called a "motion" or
"answer." The "motion" or
"answer" must be given to
the court clerk or
administrator within 30 days
along with the required
filing fee. It must be in
proper form and have proof
of service on the
plaintiff's attorney or, if
the plaintiff does not have
an attorney, proof of
service on the plaintiff.
If you have questions, you
should see an attorney
immediately.
If you need help in finding
an attorney, you may call
the Oregon State Bar's
Lawyer Referral Service at
(503) 684-3763 or toll-free
in Oregon at (800) 452-7636.
- Service for
Counterclaim. A summons to
join a party to respond to a
counterclaim pursuant to
Rule 22 D(1) shall contain a
notice printed in type size
equal to at least 8-point
type which may be
substantially in the
following form:
NOTICE TO DEFENDANT:
READ THESE PAPERS CAREFULLY!
You must "appear" to
protect your rights in this
matter. To "appear" you must
file with the court a legal
paper called a "motion" or
"reply." The "motion" or
"reply" must be given to the
court clerk or administrator
within 30 days along with
the required filing fee. It
must be in proper form and
have proof of service on the
defendant's attorney or, if
the defendant does not have
an attorney, proof of
service on the defendant.
If you have questions, you
should see an attorney
immediately. If you need
help in finding an attorney,
you may call the Oregon
State Bar's Lawyer Referral
Service at (503) 684-3763 or
toll-free in Oregon at (800)
452-7636.
- Service on Persons
Liable for Attorney Fees. A
summons to join a party
pursuant to Rule 22 D(2)
shall contain a notice
printed in type size equal
to at least 8-point type
which may be substantially
in the following form:
NOTICE TO DEFENDANT:
READ THESE PAPERS CAREFULLY!
You must "appear" to protect
your rights in this matter.
To "appear" you must file
with the court a legal paper
called a "motion" or
"reply." The "motion" or
"reply" must be given to the
court clerk or administrator
within 30 days along with
the required filing fee. It
must be in proper form and
have proof of service on the
defendant's attorney or, if
the defendant does not have
an attorney, proof of
service on the defendant.
If you have questions, you
should see an attorney
immediately. If you need
help in finding an attorney,
you may call the Oregon
State Bar's Lawyer Referral
Service at (503) 684-3763 or
toll-free in Oregon at (800)
452-7636.
D. Manner of service.
- Notice required.
Summons shall be served, either
within or without this state, in
any manner reasonably
calculated, under all the
circumstances, to apprise the
defendant of the existence and
tendency of the action and to
afford a reasonable opportunity
to appear and defend. Summons
may be served in a manner
specified in this rule or by any
other rule or statute on the
defendant or upon an agent
authorized by appointment or law
to accept service of summons for
the defendant. Service may be
made, subject to the
restrictions and requirements of
this rule, by the following
methods: personal service of
summons upon defendant or an
agent of defendant authorized to
receive process; substituted
service by leaving a copy of
summons and complaint at a
person's dwelling house or usual
place of abode; office service
by leaving with a person who is
apparently in charge of an
office; service by mail; or,
service by publication.
- Service methods.
- Personal service.
Personal service may be made
by delivery of a true copy
of the summons and a true
copy of the complaint to the
person to be served.
- Substituted service.
Substituted service may be
made by delivering a true
copy of the summons and the
complaint at the dwelling
house or usual place of
abode of the person to be
served, to any person 14
years of age or older
residing in the dwelling
house or usual place of
abode of the person to be
served. Where substituted
service is used, the
plaintiff, as soon as
reasonably possible, shall
cause to be mailed, by first
class mail, a true copy of
the summons and the
complaint to the defendant
at defendant's dwelling
house or usual place of
abode, together with a
statement of the date, time,
and place at which
substituted service was
made. For the purpose of
computing any period of time
prescribed or allowed by
these rules or by statute,
substituted service shall be
complete upon such mailing.
- Office service.
If the person to be served
maintains an office for the
conduct of business, office
service may be made by
leaving a true copy of the
summons and the complaint at
such office during normal
working hours with the
person who is apparently in
charge. Where office service
is used, the plaintiff, as
soon as reasonably possible,
shall cause to be mailed, by
first class mail, a true
copy of the summons and the
complaint to the defendant
at the defendant's dwelling
house or usual place of
abode or defendant's place
of business or such other
place under the
circumstances that is most
reasonably calculated to
apprise the defendant of the
existence and pendency of
the action, together with a
statement of the date, time,
and place at which office
service was made. For the
purpose of computing any
period of time prescribed or
allowed by these rules or by
statute, office service
shall be complete upon such
mailing.
- Service by Mail.
- Generally.
When required or allowed
by this rule or by
statute, except as
otherwise permitted,
service by mail shall be
made by mailing a true
copy of the summons and
the complaint to the
defendant by first class
mail and by any of the
following: certified or
registered mail, return
receipt requested, or
express mail. For
purposes of this
section, "first class
mail" does not include
certified or registered,
or any other form of
mail which may delay or
hinder actual delivery
of mail to the
addressee.
- Calculation of
time. For the
purpose of computing any
period of time provided
by these rules or by
statute, service by
mail, except as
otherwise provided,
shall be complete on the
day the defendant signs
a receipt for the
mailing, or three days
after the mailing if
mailed to an address
within the state, or
seven days after the
mailing if mailed to an
address outside of the
state, whichever first
occurs.
- Particular defendants.
Service may be made upon
specified defendants as follows:
- Individuals.
- Generally.
Upon an individual
defendant, by personal
service upon such
defendant or an agent
authorized by
appointment or law to
receive service of
summons or, if defendant
personally cannot be
found at defendant's
dwelling house or usual
place of abode, then by
substituted service or
by office service upon
such defendant or agent.
Service may also be made
upon an individual
defendant to whom
neither subparagraph
(ii) nor (iii) of this
paragraph applies by
mailing made in
accordance with
paragraph (2)(d) of this
section provided the
defendant signs a
receipt for the
certified, registered or
express mailing, in
which case service shall
be complete on the date
on which the defendant
signs a receipt for the
mailing.
- Minors. Upon
a minor under the age of
14 years, by service in
the manner specified in
subparagraph (i) of this
paragraph upon such
minor, and also upon
such minor's father,
mother, conservator of
the minor's estate, or
guardian, or, if there
be none, then upon any
person having the care
or control of the minor
or with whom such minor
resides, or in whose
service such minor is
employed, or upon a
guardian ad litem
appointed pursuant to
Rule 27 A(2).
- Incapacitated
persons. Upon a
person who is
incapacitated or
financially incapable,
as defined by ORS
125.005, by service in
the manner specified in
subparagraph (i) of this
paragraph upon such
person, and also upon
the conservator of such
person's estate or
guardian, or, if there
be none, upon a guardian
ad litem appointed
pursuant to Rule 27
B(2).
- Tenant of a mail
agent. Upon an
individual defendant who
is a "tenant" of a "mail
agent" within the
meaning of ORS 646.221
by delivering a true
copy of the summons and
the complaint to any
person apparently in
charge of the place
where the mail agent
receives mail for the
tenant, provided that:
- the plaintiff
makes a diligent
inquiry but cannot
find the defendant;
and
- the plaintiff,
as soon as
reasonably possible
after delivery,
causes a true copy
of the summons and
the complaint to be
mailed by first
class mail to the
defendant at the
address at which the
mail agent receives
mail for the
defendant and to any
other mailing
address of the
defendant then known
to the plaintiff,
together with a
statement of the
date, time, and
place at which the
plaintiff delivered
the copy of the
summons and the
complaint. Service
shall be complete on
the latest date
resulting from the
application of
subparagraph
D(2)(d)(ii) of this
rule to all mailings
required by this
subparagraph unless
the defendant signs
a receipt for the
mailing, in which
case service is
complete on the day
the defendant signs
the receipt.
- Corporations and
limited partnerships.
Upon a domestic or foreign
corporation or limited
partnership:
- Primary service
method. By personal
service or office
service upon a
registered agent,
officer, director,
general partner, or
managing agent of the
corporation or limited
partnership, or by
personal service upon
any clerk on duty in the
office of a registered
agent.
- Alternatives. If a
registered agent,
officer, director,
general partner, or
managing agent cannot be
found in the county
where the action is
filed, the summons may
be served: by
substituted service upon
such registered agent,
officer, director,
general partner, or
managing agent; or by
personal service on any
clerk or agent of the
corporation or limited
partnership who may be
found in the county
where the action is
filed; or by mailing a
copy of the summons and
complaint to the office
of the registered agent
or to the last
registered office of the
corporation or limited
partnership, if any, as
shown by the records on
file in the office of
the Secretary of State
or, if the corporation
or limited partnership
is not authorized to
transact business in
this state at the time
of the transaction,
event, or occurrence
upon which the action is
based occurred, to the
principal office or
place of business of the
corporation or limited
partnership, and in any
case to any address the
use of which the
plaintiff knows or, on
the basis of reasonable
inquiry, has reason to
believe is most likely
to result in actual
notice.
- State. Upon the
state, by personal service
upon the Attorney General or
by leaving a copy of the
summons and complaint at the
Attorney General's office
with a deputy, assistant, or
clerk.
- Public bodies.
Upon any county,
incorporated city, school
district, or other public
corporation, commission,
board or agency, by personal
service or office service
upon an officer, director,
managing agent, or attorney
thereof.
- General partnerships.
Upon any general
partnerships by personal
service upon a partner or
any agent authorized by
appointment or law to
receive service of summons
for the partnership.
- Other unincorporated
association subject to suit
under a common name.
Upon any other
unincorporated association
subject to suit under a
common name by personal
service upon an officer,
managing agent, or agent
authorized by appointment or
law to receive service of
summons for the
unincorporated association.
- Vessel owners and
charterers. Upon any
foreign steamship owner or
steamship charterer by
personal service upon a
vessel master in such
owner's or charterer's
employment or any agent
authorized by such owner or
charterer to provide
services to a vessel calling
at a port in the State of
Oregon, or a port in the
State of Washington on that
portion of the Columbia
River forming a common
boundary with Oregon.
- Particular actions
involving motor vehicles.
- Actions arising out
of use of roads, highways,
and streets; service by
mail.
- In any action
arising out of any
accident, collision, or
other event giving rise
to liability in which a
motor vehicle may be
involved while being
operated upon the roads,
highways, or streets of
this state, if the
plaintiff makes at least
one attempt to serve the
defendant who operated
such motor vehicle, or
caused it to be operated
on the defendant's
behalf, by a method
authorized by subsection
(3) of this section
except service by mail
pursuant to subparagraph
(3)(a)(i) of this
section and, as shown by
its return, did not
effect service, the
plaintiff may then serve
that defendant by
mailings made in
accordance with
paragraph (2)(d) of this
section addressed to
that defendant at: (A)
any residence address
provided by that
defendant at the scene
of the accident; (B) the
current residence
address, if any, of that
defendant shown in the
driver records of the
Department of
Transportation; and (C)
any other address of
that defendant known to
the plaintiff at the
time of making the
mailings required by (A)
and (B) that reasonably
might result in actual
notice to that
defendant. Sufficient
service pursuant to this
subparagraph may be
shown if the proof of
service includes a true
copy of the envelope in
which each of the
certified, registered or
express mailings
required by (A), (B) and
(C) above was made
showing that it was
returned to sender as
undeliverable or that
the defendant did not
sign the receipt. For
the purpose of computing
any period of time
prescribed or allowed by
these rules or by
statute, service under
this subparagraph shall
be complete on the
latest date on which any
of the mailings required
by (A), (B) and (C)
above is made. If the
mailing required by (C)
is omitted because the
plaintiff did not know
of any address other
than those specified in
(A) and (B) above, the
proof of service shall
so certify.
- Any fee charged by
the Department of
Transportation for
providing address
information concerning a
party served pursuant to
subparagraph (i) of this
paragraph may be
recovered as provided in
Rule 68.
- The requirements for
obtaining an order of
default against a
defendant served
pursuant to subparagraph
(i) of this paragraph
are as provided in Rule
69.
- Notification of
change of address. Every
motorist or user of the
roads, highways or streets
of this state who, while
operating a motor vehicle
upon the roads, highways, or
streets of this state, is
involved in any accident,
collision, or other event
giving rise to liability,
shall forthwith notify the
Department of Transportation
of any change of such
defendant's address
occurring within three years
after such accident,
collision or event.
- Service in foreign
country.
When service is to be effected
upon a party in a foreign
country, it is also sufficient
if service of summons is made in
the manner prescribed by the law
of the foreign country for
service in that country in its
courts of general jurisdiction,
or as directed by the foreign
authority in response to letters
rogatory, or as directed by
order of the court. However, in
all cases such service shall be
reasonably calculated to give
actual notice.
- Court order for service;
service by publication.
- Court order for
service by other method.
On motion upon a showing by
affidavit that service
cannot be made by any method
otherwise specified in these
rules or other rule or
statute, the court, at its
discretion, may order
service by any method or
combination of methods which
under the circumstances is
most reasonably calculated
to apprise the defendant of
the existence and pendency
of the action, including but
not limited to: publication
of summons; mailing without
publication to a specified
post office address of the
defendant by first class
mail and by any of the
following: certified or
registered mail, return
receipt requested, or
express mail; or posting at
specified locations. If
service is ordered by any
manner other than
publication, the court may
order a time for response.
- Contents of published
summons. In addition to
the contents of a summons as
described in section C of
this rule, a published
summons shall also contain a
summary statement of the
object of the complaint and
the demand for relief, and
the notice required in
subsection C(3) shall state:
"The 'motion' or 'answer'
(or 'reply') must be given
to the court clerk or
administrator within 30 days
of the date of first
publication specified herein
along with the required
filing fee." The published
summons shall also contain
the date of the first
publication of the summons.
- Where published.
An order for publication
shall direct publication to
be made in a newspaper of
general circulation in the
county where the action is
commenced or, if there is no
such newspaper, then in a
newspaper to be designated
as most likely to give
notice to the person to be
served. Such publication
shall be four times in
successive calendar weeks.
If the plaintiff knows of a
specific location other than
the county where the action
is commenced where
publication might reasonably
result in actual notice to
the defendant, the plaintiff
shall so state in the
affidavit required by
paragraph (a) of this
subsection, and the court
may order publication in a
comparable manner at such
location in addition to, or
in lieu of, publication in
the county where the action
is commenced.
- Mailing summons and
complaint. If the court
orders service by
publication and the
plaintiff knows or with
reasonable diligence can
ascertain the defendant's
current address, the
plaintiff shall mail a copy
of the summons and the
complaint to the defendant
at such address by first
class mail and by any of the
following: certified or
registered mail, return
receipt requested, or
express mail. If the
plaintiff does not know and
cannot upon diligent inquiry
ascertain the current
address of any defendant, a
copy of the summons and the
complaint shall be mailed by
the methods specified above
to the defendant at the
defendant's last known
address. If the plaintiff
does not know, and cannot
ascertain upon diligent
inquiry, the defendant's
current and last known
addresses, mailing of a copy
of the summons and the
complaint is not required.
- Unknown heirs or
persons. If service
cannot be made by another
method described in this
section because defendants
are unknown heirs or persons
as described in sections I
and J of Rule 20, the action
shall proceed against the
unknown heirs or persons in
the same manner as against
named defendants served by
publication and with like
effect; and any such unknown
heirs or persons who have or
claim any right, estate,
lien, or interest in the
property in controversy, at
the time of the commencement
of the action, and served by
publication, shall be bound
and concluded by the
judgment in the action, if
the same is in favor of the
plaintiff, as effectively as
if the action was brought
against such defendants by
name.
- Defending before or
after judgment. A
defendant against whom
publication is ordered or
such defendant's
representatives, on
application and sufficient
cause shown, at any time
before judgment, shall be
allowed to defend the
action. A defendant against
whom publication is ordered
or such defendant's
representatives may, upon
good cause shown and upon
such terms as may be proper,
be allowed to defend after
judgment and within one year
after entry of judgment. If
the defense is successful,
and the judgment or any part
thereof has been collected
or otherwise enforced,
restitution may be ordered
by the court, but the title
to property sold upon
execution issued on such
judgment, to a purchaser in
good faith, shall not be
affected thereby.
- Defendant who cannot
be served. Within the
meaning of this subsection,
a defendant cannot be served
with summons by any method
authorized by subsection
D(3) of this section if:
(i) service pursuant to
subparagraph (4)(a)(i) of
this section is not
authorized, and the
plaintiff attempted service
of summons by all of the
methods authorized by
subsection D(3) of this
section and was unable to
complete service, or
(ii) if the plaintiff knew
that service by such methods
could not be accomplished. E
By whom served;
compensation. A summons may
be served by any competent
person 18 years of age or
older who is a resident of
the state where service is
made or of this state and is
not a party to the action
nor, except as provided in
ORS 180.260, an officer,
director, or employee of,
nor attorney for, any party,
corporate or otherwise.
However, service pursuant to
subparagraph D(2)(d)(i) of
this rule may be made by an
attorney for any party.
Compensation to a sheriff or
a sheriff's deputy in this
state who serves a summons
shall be prescribed by
statute or rule. If any
other person serves the
summons, a reasonable fee
may be paid for service.
This compensation shall be
part of disbursements and
shall be recovered as
provided in Rule 68.
E. By Whom Served; Compensation.
A summons may be served by any
competent person 18 years of age or
older who is a resident of the state
where service is made or of this
state and is not a party to the
action nor, except as provided in
ORS 180.260, an officer, director,
or employee of, nor attorney for,
any party, corporate or otherwise.
However, service pursuant to
subparagraph D(2)(d)(i) of this rule
may be made by an attorney for any
party. Compensation to a sheriff or
a sheriff's deputy in this state who
serves a summons shall be prescribed
by statute or rule. If any other
person serves the summons, a
reasonable fee may be paid for
service. This compensation shall be
part of disbursements and shall be
recovered as provided in Rule 68.
F. Return; proof of service.
- Return of summons.
The summons shall be
promptly returned to the clerk
with whom the complaint is filed
with proof of service or
mailing, or that defendant
cannot be found. The summons may
be returned by first class mail.
- Proof of service.
Proof of service of summons or
mailing may be made as follows:
- Service other than
publication. Service
other than publication shall
be proved by:
- Certificate of service
when summons not served by
sheriff or deputy. If the
summons is not served by a
sheriff or a sheriff's
deputy, the certificate of
the server indicating: the
time, place, and manner of
service; that the server is
a competent person 18 years
of age or older and a
resident of the state of
service or this state and is
not a party to nor an
officer, director, or
employee of, nor attorney
for any party, corporate or
otherwise; and that the
server knew that the person,
firm, or corporation served
is the identical one named
in the action. If the
defendant is not personally
served, the server shall
state in the certificate
when, where, and with whom a
copy of the summons and
complaint was left or
describe in detail the
manner and circumstances of
service. If the summons and
complaint were mailed, the
certificate may be made by
the person completing the
mailing or the attorney for
any party and shall state
the circumstances of mailing
and the return receipt shall
be attached.
- Certificate of service
by sheriff or deputy. If the
summons is served by a
sheriff or a sheriff's
deputy, the sheriff's or
deputy's certificate of
service indicating the time,
place, and manner of
service, and if defendant is
not personally served, when,
where, and with whom the
copy of the summons and
complaint was left or
describing in detail the
manner and circumstances of
service. If the summons and
complaint were mailed, the
certificate shall state the
circumstances of mailing and
the return receipt shall be
attached. G Disregard of
error; actual notice.
Failure to comply with
provisions of this rule
relating to the form of
summons, issuance of
summons, or who may serve
summons shall not affect the
validity of service of
summons or the existence of
jurisdiction over the person
if the court determines that
the defendant received
actual notice of the
substance and pendency of
the action. The court may
allow amendment to a
summons, or affidavit or
certificate of service of
summons. The court shall
disregard any error in the
content of summons that does
not materially prejudice the
substantive rights of the
party against whom summons
was issued. If service is
made in any manner complying
with subsection D(1) of this
section, the court shall
also disregard any error in
the service of summons that
does not violate the due
process rights of the party
against whom summons was
issued.
[Amended effective January
1, 1982; January 1, 1984,
January 1, 1986; January 1,
1990; January 1, 1992; January
1, 1994; September 9, 1995;
January 1, 1996; January 1,
1998, January 1, 2000.]
RULE
55. SUBPOENA
A. Defined; Form.
A subpoena is a writ or order
directed to a person and may require
the attendance of such person at a
particular time and place to testify
as a witness on behalf of a
particular party therein mentioned
or may require such person to
produce books, papers, documents, or
tangible things and permit
inspection thereof at a particular
time and place. A subpoena requiring
attendance to testify as a witness
requires that the witness remain
until the testimony is closed unless
sooner discharged, but at the end of
each day's attendance a witness may
demand of the party, or the party's
attorney, the payment of legal
witness fees for the next following
day and if not then paid, the
witness is not obliged to remain
longer in attendance. Every subpoena
shall state the name of the court
and the title of the action.
B. For Production of Books,
Papers, Documents, or Tangible
Things and to Permit Inspection.
A subpoena may command the person to
whom it is directed to produce and
permit inspection and copying of
designated books, papers, documents,
or tangible things in the
possession, custody or control of
that person at the time and place
specified therein. A command to
produce books, papers, documents or
tangible things and permit
inspection thereof may be joined
with a command to appear at trial or
hearing or at deposition or, before
trial, may be issued separately. A
person commanded to produce and
permit inspection and copying of
designated books, papers, documents
or tangible things but not commanded
to also appear for deposition,
hearing or trial may, within 14 days
after service of the subpoena or
before the time specified for
compliance if such time is less than
14 days after service, serve upon
the party or attorney designated in
the subpoena written objection to
inspection or copying of any or all
of the designated materials. If
objection is made, the party serving
the subpoena shall not be entitled
to inspect and copy the materials
except pursuant to an order of the
court in whose name the subpoena was
issued. If objection has been made,
the party serving the subpoena may,
upon notice to the person commanded
to produce, move for an order at any
time to compel production. In any
case, where a subpoena commands
production of books, papers,
documents or tangible things the
court, upon motion made promptly and
in any event at or before the time
specified in the subpoena for
compliance therewith, may (1) quash
or modify the subpoena if it is
unreasonable and oppressive or (2)
condition denial of the motion upon
the advancement by the person in
whose behalf the subpoena is issued
of the reasonable cost of producing
the books, papers, documents, or
tangible things.
C. Issuance.
- By Whom Issued. A
subpoena is issued as follows:
- to require attendance
before a court, or at the
trial of an issue therein,
or upon the taking of a
deposition in an action
pending therein or, if
separate from a subpoena
commanding the attendance of
a person, to produce books,
papers, documents or
tangible things and to
permit inspection thereof:
(i) it may be issued in
blank by the clerk of the
court in which the action is
pending, or if there is no
clerk, then by a judge or
justice of such court; or
(ii) it may be issued by an
attorney of record of the
party to the action in whose
behalf the witness is
required to appear,
subscribed by the signature
of such attorney;
- to require attendance
before any person authorized
to take the testimony of a
witness in this state under
Rule 38 C, or before any
officer empowered by the
laws of the United States to
take testimony, it may be
issued by the clerk of a
circuit or district court in
the county in which the
witness is to be examined;
- to require attendance
out of court in cases not
provided for in paragraph
(a) of this subsection,
before a judge, justice, or
other officer authorized to
administer oaths or take
testimony in any matter
under the laws of this
state, it may be issued by
the judge, justice, or other
officer before whom the
attendance is required.
- By Clerk In Blank.
Upon request of a party or
attorney, any subpoena issued by
a clerk of court shall be issued
in blank and delivered to the
party or attorney requesting it,
who shall fill it in before
service.
D. Service; service on law
enforcement agency; service by mail;
proof of service.
- Service.
Except as provided in
subsection (2) of this section,
a subpoena may be served by the
party or any other person 18
years of age or older. The
service shall be made by
delivering a copy to the witness
personally and giving or
offering to the witness at the
same time the fees to which the
witness is entitled for travel
to and from the place designated
and, whether or not personal
attendance is required, one
day's attendance fees. The
service must be made so as to
allow the witness a reasonable
time for preparation and travel
to the place of attendance. A
subpoena for taking of a
deposition, served upon an
organization as provided in Rule
39 C(6), shall be served in the
same manner as provided for
service of summons in Rule 7
D(3)(b)(i), D(3)(d), D(3)(e), or
D(3)(f). Copies of each subpoena
commanding production of books,
papers, documents or tangible
things and inspection thereof
before trial, not accompanied by
command to appear at trial or
hearing or at deposition,
whether the subpoena is served
personally or by mail, shall be
served on each party at least
seven days before the subpoena
is served on the person required
to produce and permit
inspection, unless the court
orders a shorter period. In
addition, a subpoena shall not
require production less than 14
days from the date of service
upon the person required to
produce and permit inspection,
unless the court orders a
shorter period.
- Service on law
enforcement agency.
- Every law enforcement
agency shall designate
individual or individuals
upon whom service of
subpoena may be made. At
least one of the designated
individuals shall be
available during normal
business hours. In the
absence of the designated
individuals, service of
subpoena pursuant to
paragraph (b) of this
subsection may be made upon
the officer in charge of the
law enforcement agency.
- If a peace officer's
attendance at trial is
required as a result of
employment as a peace
officer, a subpoena may be
served on such officer by
delivering a copy personally
to the officer or to one of
the individuals designated
by the agency which employs
the officer not later than
10 days prior to the date
attendance is sought. A
subpoena may be served in
this manner only if the
officer is currently
employed as a peace officer
and is present within the
state at the time of
service.
- When a subpoena has been
served as provided in
paragraph (b) of this
subsection, the law
enforcement agency shall
make a good faith effort to
give actual notice to the
officer whose attendance is
sought of the date, time,
and location of the court
appearance. If the officer
cannot be notified, the law
enforcement agency shall
promptly notify the court
and a postponement or
continuance may be granted
to allow the officer to be
personally served.
- As used in this
subsection, "law enforcement
agency" means the Oregon
State Police, a county
sheriff's department, or a
municipal police department.
- Service by mail.
Under the following
circumstances, service of a
subpoena to a witness by mail
shall be of the same legal force
and effect as personal service
otherwise authorized by this
section:
- The attorney certifies
in connection with or upon
the return of service that
the attorney, or the
attorney's agent, has had
personal or telephone
contact with the witness,
and the witness indicated a
willingness to appear at
trial if subpoenaed;
- The attorney, or the
attorney's agent, made
arrangements for payment to
the witness of fees and
mileage satisfactory to the
witness; and
- The subpoena was mailed
to the witness more than 10
days before trial by
certified mail or some other
designation of mail that
provides a receipt for the
mail signed by the
recipient, and the attorney
received a return receipt
signed by the witness more
than three days prior to
trial.
- Service by mail;
exception.
Service of subpoena by mail may
be used for a subpoena
commanding production of books,
papers, documents, or tangible
things, not accompanied by a
command to appear at trial or
hearing or at deposition.
- Proof of service.
Proof of service of a subpoena
is made in the same manner as
proof of service of a summons
except that the server need not
certify that the server is not a
party in the action, an attorney
for a party in the action or an
officer, director or employee of
a party in the action.
E. Subpoena for Hearing or Trial;
Prisoners. If the witness is
confined in a prison or jail in this
state, a subpoena may be served on
such person only upon leave of
court, and attendance of the witness
may be compelled only upon such
terms as the court prescribes. The
court may order temporary removal
and production of the prisoner for
the purpose of giving testimony or
may order that testimony only be
taken upon deposition at the place
of confinement. The subpoena and
court order shall be served upon the
custodian of the prisoner.
F. Subpoena for Taking
Depositions or Requiring Production
of Books, Papers, Documents, or
Tangible Things; Place of Production
and Examination.
- Subpoena for Taking
Deposition.
Proof of service of a notice to
take a deposition as provided in
Rules 39 C and 40 A, or of
notice of subpoena to command
production of books, papers,
documents, or tangible things
before trial as provided in
subsection D(1) of this rule or
a certificate that such notice
will be served if the subpoena
can be served, constitutes a
sufficient authorization for the
issuance by a clerk of court of
subpoenas for the persons named
or described therein.
- Place of Examination.
A resident of this state who is
not a party to the action may be
required by subpoena to attend
an examination or to produce
books, papers, documents, or
tangible things only in the
county wherein such person
resides, is employed, or
transacts business in person, or
at such other convenient place
as is fixed by an order of
court. A nonresident of this
state who is not a party to the
action may be required by
subpoena to attend an
examination or to produce books,
papers, documents, or tangible
things only in the county
wherein such person is served
with a subpoena, or at such
other convenient place as is
fixed by an order of court.
- Production Without
Examination or Deposition.
A party who issues a subpoena
may command the person to whom
it is issued, other than a
hospital, to produce books,
papers, documents, or tangible
things by mail or otherwise, at
a time and place specified in
the subpoena, without commanding
inspection of the originals or a
deposition. In such instances
the person to whom the subpoena
is directed complies if the
person produces copies of the
specified items in the specified
manner and certifies that the
copies are true copies of all
the items responsive to the
subpoena or, if all items are
not included, why they are not.
G. Disobedience of Subpoena;
Refusal to Be Sworn or Answer as a
Witness.
Disobedience to a subpoena or a
refusal to be sworn or answer as a
witness may be punished as contempt
by a court before whom the action is
pending or by the judge or justice
issuing the subpoena. Upon hearing
or trial, if the witness is a party
and disobeys a subpoena or refuses
to be sworn or answer as a witness,
such party's complaint, answer, or
reply may be stricken.
H. Hospital Records.
- Hospital.
As used in this rule, unless the
context requires otherwise,
"hospital" means a health care
facility defined in ORS 442.015
(14)(a) through (d) and licensed
under ORS 441.015 through
441.097 and community health
programs established under ORS
430.610 through 430.695
- Mode of Compliance.
Hospital records may be obtained
by subpoena only as provided in
this section. However, if
disclosure of any requested
records is restricted or
otherwise limited by state or
federal law, then the protected
records shall not be disclosed
in response to the subpoena
unless the requirements of the
pertinent law have been complied
with and such compliance is
evidenced through an appropriate
court order or through execution
of an appropriate consent.
Absent such consent or court
order, production of the
requested records not so
protected shall be considered
production of the records
responsive to the subpoena. If
an appropriate consent or court
order does accompany the
subpoena, then production of all
records requested shall be
considered production of the
records responsive to the
subpoena.
- Except as provided in
subsection (4) of this
section, when a subpoena is
served upon a custodian of
hospital records in an
action in which the hospital
is not a party, and the
subpoena requires the
production of all or part of
the records of the hospital
relating to the care or
treatment of a patient at
the hospital, it is
sufficient compliance
therewith if a custodian
delivers by mail or
otherwise a true and correct
copy of all the records
responsive to the subpoena
within five days after
receipt thereof. Delivery
shall be accompanied by the
affidavit described in
subsection (3) of this
section. The copy may be
photographic or
microphotographic
reproduction.
- The copy of the records
shall be separately enclosed
in a sealed envelope or
wrapper on which the title
and number of the action,
name of the witness, and
date of the subpoena are
clearly inscribed. The
sealed envelope or wrapper
shall be enclosed in an
outer envelope or wrapper
and sealed. The outer
envelope or wrapper shall be
addressed as follows: (i) if
the subpoena directs
attendance in court, to the
clerk of the court, or to
the judge thereof if there
is no clerk; (ii) if the
subpoena directs attendance
at a deposition or other
hearing, to the officer
administering the oath for
the deposition, at the place
designated in the subpoena
for the taking of the
deposition or at the
officer's place of business;
(iii) in other cases
involving a hearing, to the
officer or body conducting
the hearing at the official
place of business; (iv) if
no hearing is scheduled, to
the attorney or party
issuing the subpoena. If the
subpoena directs delivery of
the records in accordance
with subparagraph
H(2)(b)(iv), then a copy of
the subpoena shall be served
on the person whose records
are sought and on all other
parties to the litigation,
not less than 14 days prior
to service of the subpoena
on the hospital.
- After filing and after
giving reasonable notice in
writing to all parties who
have appeared of the time
and place of inspection, the
copy of the records may be
inspected by any party or
the attorney of record of a
party in the presence of the
custodian of the court
files, but otherwise shall
remain sealed and shall be
opened only at the time of
trial, deposition, or other
hearing, at the direction of
the judge, officer, or body
conducting the proceeding.
The records shall be opened
in the presence of all
parties who have appeared in
person or by counsel at the
trial, deposition, or
hearing. Records which are
not introduced in evidence
or required as part of the
record shall be returned to
the custodian of hospital
records who submitted them.
- For purposes of this
section, the subpoena duces
tecum to the custodian of
the records may be served by
first class mail. Service of
subpoena by mail under this
section shall not be subject
to the requirements of
subsection (3) of section D
of this rule.
- Affidavit of Custodian of
Records.
- (a) The records
described in subsection (2)
of this section shall be
accompanied by the affidavit
of a custodian of the
hospital records, stating in
substance each of the
following:
(i) that the affiant is a
duly authorized custodian of
the records and has
authority to certify
records;
(ii) that the copy is a true
copy of all the records
responsive to the subpoena;
(iii) that the records were
prepared by the personnel of
the hospital, staff
physicians, or persons
acting under the control of
either, in the ordinary
course of hospital business,
at or near the time of the
act, condition, or event
described or referred to
therein.
- If the hospital has none
of the records described in
the subpoena, or only part
thereof, the affiant shall
so state in the affidavit,
and shall send only those
records of which the affiant
has custody.
- When more than one
person has knowledge of the
facts required to be stated
in the affidavit, more than
one affidavit may be made.
- Personal Attendance of
Custodian of Records May Be
Required.
- The personal attendance
of a custodian of hospital
records and the production
of original hospital records
is required if the subpoena
duces tecum contains the
following statement: The
personal attendance of a
custodian of hospital
records and the production
of original records is
required by this subpoena.
The procedure authorized
pursuant to Oregon Rule of
Civil Procedure 55 H(2)
shall not be deemed
sufficient compliance with
this subpoena.
- If more than one
subpoena duces tecum is
served on a custodian of
hospital records and
personal attendance is
required under each pursuant
to paragraph (a) of this
subsection, the custodian
shall be deemed to be the
witness of the party serving
the first such subpoena.
- Tender and Payment of
Fees.
Nothing in this section
requires the tender or payment
of more than one witness and
mileage fee or other charge
unless there has been agreement
to the contrary.
I. Medical Records.
- Service on Patient or
Health Care Recipient Required.
Except as provided in subsection
(3) of this section, a subpoena
duces tecum for medical records
served on a custodian or other
keeper of medical records is not
valid unless proof of service of
a copy of the subpoena on the
patient or health care
recipient, or upon the attorney
for the patient or health care
recipient, made in the same
manner as proof of service of a
summons, is attached to the
subpoena served on the custodian
or other keeper of medical
records.
- Manner of Service.
If a patient or health care
recipient is represented by an
attorney, a true copy of a
subpoena duces tecum for medical
records of a patient or health
care recipient must be served on
the attorney for the patient or
health care recipient not less
than 14 days before the subpoena
is served on a custodian or
other keeper of medical records.
Upon a showing of good cause,
the court may shorten or
lengthen the 14-day period.
Service on the attorney for a
patient or health care recipient
under this section may be made
in the manner provided by Rule
9B. If the patient or health
care recipient is not
represented by an attorney,
service of a true copy of the
subpoena must be made on the
patient or health care recipient
not less than 14 days before the
subpoena is served on the
custodian or other keeper of
medical records. Upon a showing
of good cause, the court may
shorten or lengthen the 14-day
period. Service on a patient or
health care recipient under this
section must be made in the
manner specified by Rule
7D(3)(a) for service on
individuals.
- Affidavit of Attorney.
If a true copy of a subpoena
duces tecum for medical records
of a patient or health care
recipient cannot be served on
the patient or health care
recipient in the manner required
by subsection (2) of this
section, and the patient or
health care recipient is not
represented by counsel, a
subpoena duces tecum for medical
records served on a custodian or
other keeper of medical records
is valid if the attorney for the
person serving the subpoena
attaches to the subpoena the
affidavit of the attorney
attesting to the following: (a)
That reasonable efforts were
made to serve the copy of the
subpoena on the patient or
health care recipient, but that
the patient or health care
recipient could not be served;
(b) That the party subpoenaing
the records is unaware of any
attorney who is representing the
patient or health care
recipient; and (c) That to the
best knowledge of the party
subpoenaing the records, the
patient or health care recipient
does not know that the records
are being subpoenaed.
- Application.
The requirements of this
section apply only to subpoenas
duces tecum for patient care and
health care records kept by a
licensed, registered or
certified health practitioner as
described in ORS 18.550, a
health care service contractor
as defined in ORS 750.005, a
home health agency licensed
under ORS chapter 443 or a
hospice program licensed,
certified or accredited under
ORS chapter 443.
[Amended effective
January 1, 1982; January 1, 1984;
January 1, 1988; October 3, 1989;
January 1, 1990; January 1, 1992;
November 4, 1993; September 9, 1995;
January 1, 1996; October 4, 1997;
January 1, 1998; October 23, 1999;
January 1, 2000.]
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