OH · rules
Ohio Civ.R. 32
Use of Depositions in Court Proceedings
(A) Use of depositions
Every deposition intended to be presented as evidence must be filed at least one day before
the day of trial or hearing unless for good cause shown the court permits a later filing.
At the trial or upon the hearing of a motion or an interlocutory proceeding, any part or all
of a deposition, so far as admissible under the rules of evidence applied as though the
witness were then present and testifying, may be used against any party who was present
or represented at the taking of the deposition or who had reasonable notice thereof, in
accordance with any one of the following provisions:
(1) Any deposition may be used by any party for the purpose of contradicting
or impeaching the testimony of deponent as a witness.
(2) The deposition of a party or of anyone who at the time of taking the
deposition was an officer, director, or managing agent, or a person
designated under Rule 30(B)(5) or Rule 31(A) to testify on behalf of a
public or private corporation, partnership or a ssociation which is a party
may be used by an adverse party for any purpose.
(3) The deposition of a witness, whether or not a party, may be used by any
party for any purpose if the court finds: (a) that the witness is dead; or (b)
that the witness is beyond the subpoena power of the court in which the
action is pending or resides outside of the county in which the action is
pending unless it appears that the absence of the witness was procured by
the party offering the deposition; or (c ) that the witness is unable to attend
or testify because of age, sickness, infirmity, or imprisonment; or (d) that
the party offering the deposition has been unable to procure the attendance
of the witness by subpoena; or (e) that the witness is an attending physician
or medical expert, although residing within the county in which the action
is heard; or (f) that the oral examination of a witness is not required; or (g)
upon application and notice, that such exceptional circumstances exist as to
make it desirable, in the interest of justice and with due regard to the
importance of presenting the testimony of witnesses orally in open court, to
allow the deposition to be used.
(4) If only part of a deposition is offered in evidence by a party, an adverse
party may require him to introduce all of i t which is relevant to the part
introduced, and any party may introduce any other parts.
Substitution of parties pursuant to Rule 25 does not affect the right to use depositions
previously taken. When another action involving the same subject matter is or has been
brought between the same parties or their representatives or successors in inte rest, all
depositions lawfully taken in the one action may be used in the other as if originally taken
therefor.
(B) Objections to admissibility
Subject to the provisions of subdivision (D)(3) of this rule, objection may be made at the
trial or hearing to receiving in evidence any deposition or part thereof for any reason which
would require the exclusion of the evidence if the witness were then present and testifying.
Upon the motion of a party, or upon its own initiative, the court shall decide such objections
before the deposition is read in evidence.
(C) Effect of taking or using depositions
A party does not make a person his own witness for any purpose by taking his deposition.
The introduction in evidence of the deposition or any part thereof for any purpose other
than that of contradicting or impeaching the deponent makes the deponent the witness of
the party introducing the deposition, but this shall not apply to the use by an adverse party
of a deposition as described in subdivision (A)(2) of this rule. The use of subdivision
(A)(3)(e) of this rule does not preclude any party from calling such a witness to appear
personally at the trial nor does it preclude the taking and use of any deposition otherwise
provided by law. At the trial or hearing any party may rebut any relevant evidence
contained in a deposition whether introduced by him or by any other party.
(D) Effect of errors and irregularities in depositions
(1) As to notice
All errors and irregularities in the notice for taking a deposition are waived unless
written objection stating the grounds therefor, is promptly served upon the party
giving the notice.
(2) As to disqualification of officer
Objection to taking a deposition because of disqualification of the officer before
whom it is to be taken is waived unless made before the taking of the deposition
begins or as soon thereafter as the disqualification becomes known or could be
discovered with reasonable diligence.
(3) As to taking of deposition
(a) Objections to the competency of a witness or to the competency, relevancy,
or materiality of testimony are not waived by failure to make them before
or during the taking of the deposition, unless the ground of the objection is
one which might have been obviated or removed if presented at that time.
(b) Errors and irregularities occurring at the oral examination in the manner of
taking the deposition, in the form of the questions or answers, in the oath or
affirmation, or in the conduct of parties and errors of any kind which might
be obviated, removed, o r cured if promptly presented, are waived unless
reasonable objection thereto is made at the taking of the deposition.
(c) Objections to the form of written questions submitted under Rule 31 are
waived unless served in writing upon the party propounding them within
the time allowed for serving the succeeding cross or other questions and
within seven days after service of the last questions authorized.
(4) As to completion and return of deposition
Errors and irregularities in the manner in which the testimony is transcribed or the
deposition is prepared, signed, certified, sealed, indorsed, transmitted, filed, or
otherwise dealt with by the officer under Rule 30 and Rule 31 are waived unless a
motion to suppress the deposition or some part thereof is made with reasonable
promptness after such defect is, or with due diligence might have been, ascertained.
History
Effective Date: July 1, 1970 Amended: July 1, 1972
Provenance
- Source
- supremecourt.ohio.gov
- Retrieved
- 2026-09-14
- Edition
- 2026-09-14
- Content hash
7fcb2aa16e501da3e35f2dd56e3838382f590922ab83ae2b642572bad1578165
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