Skip to main content

Motion to compel

A motion asking the court to order a party to provide discovery it has wrongfully withheld.

A motion to compel asks the court to order an opposing party to respond to discovery — answer interrogatories, produce documents, or appear for a deposition — that it has failed or refused to provide. Under the Federal Rules it generally must be preceded by a good-faith meet and confer.

If granted, the court may also award the reasonable expenses, including attorney's fees, caused by the failure to provide discovery.

Related terms