W.R.C.P.Ch.C. 27

(a) Before an Action is Filed.

(1) Petition. A person who wants to perpetuate testimony about any

matter cognizable in the chancery court may file a verified petition in the

chancery court. The petition must ask for an order authorizing the petitioner

to depose the named persons in order to perpetuate their testimony. The

petition must be titled in the petitioner’s name and must show:

(A) that the petitioner expects to be a party to an action cognizable in

the chancery court of the state but cannot presently bring it or cause it to

be brought;

(B) the subject matter of the expected action and the petitioner’s

interest;

(C) the facts that the petitioner wants to establish by the proposed

testimony and the reasons to perpetuate it;

(D) the names or a description of the persons whom the petitioner

expects to be adverse parties and their addresses, so far as known; and

(E) the name, address, and expected substance of the testimony of each

deponent.

(2) Notice and Service. At least 20 days before the hearing date, the

petitioner must serve each expected adverse party with a copy of the petition

and a notice stating the time and place of the hearing. The notice may be

served either inside or outside the state in the manner provided in Rule 4. If

that service cannot be made with reasonable diligence on an expected

adverse party, the chancery court may order service by publication or

otherwise. The chancery court must appoint an attorney to represent

persons not served in the manner provided in Rule 4 and to cross-examine

the deponent if an unserved person is not otherwise represented. If any

expected adverse party is a minor or is incompetent, Rule 17(c) applies.

(3) Order and Examination. If satisfied that perpetuating the testimony

may prevent a failure or delay of justice, the chancery court must issue an

order that designates or describes the persons whose depositions may be

taken, specifies the subject matter of the examinations, and states whether

the depositions will be taken orally or by written interrogatories. The

depositions may then be taken under these rules, and the chancery court

may issue orders like those authorized by Rules 34 and 35.

(4) Using the Deposition. A deposition to perpetuate testimony may be

used under Rule 32(a) in any later-filed chancery court action involving the

same subject matter if the deposition either was taken under these rules or,

although not so taken, would be admissible in evidence in the courts of the

state where it was taken.

(b) Pending Appeal.

(1) In General. The chancery court where a judgment has been rendered

may, if an appeal has been taken or may still be taken, permit a party to

depose witnesses to perpetuate their testimony for use in the event of further

proceedings in that chancery court.

(2) Motion. The party who wants to perpetuate testimony may move for

leave to take the depositions, on the same notice and service as if the action

were pending in the chancery court. The motion must show:

(A) the name, address, and expected substance of the testimony of each

deponent; and

(B) the reasons for perpetuating the testimony.

(3) Chancery Court Order. If the chancery court finds that perpetuating

the testimony may prevent a failure or delay of justice, the chancery court

may permit the depositions to be taken and may issue orders like those

authorized by Rules 34 and 35. The depositions may be taken and used as

any other deposition taken in a pending chancery court action.

(c) Perpetuation by an Action. This rule does not limit a chancery court’s

power to entertain an action to perpetuate testimony.