Checklist · Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution

Deposition outline (not testimony)

Lawyer's outline of topics and questions for an oral deposition under Rule 30, including a Rule 30(b)(6) topic list. It is not a script of answers and it is not sworn evidence.

Kind
Checklist. Steps or checks to work through and tick off.
Where it applies
United States
AI use
Yellow You and the tool draft together, with you directing. You check every statement you rely on.
Law stated as at
22 October 2026
Status
Maintained. Checked on 22 October 2026 against the 4 authorities it cites, for United States.
Version
1
Source
Written for this library

When to use it

Use to prepare the lawyer who will take or defend a deposition in a federal civil case. Do not hand the question list to the witness as a script, and do not turn it into an affidavit or a declaration.

Used for these tasks

Each task page says how far AI may help with the task and what the lawyer must review.

How AI may be used

AI may draft topic headings and questions from the evidence table and the lawyer's objectives. The lawyer decides what is asked. The tool writes no answer and no testimony.

AI may

  • Group questions under the issues the lawyer lists, with the document to show beside each group
  • Turn a Rule 30(b)(6) notice the lawyer has approved into an outline that follows those topics and no others
  • List a question that asks for a legal conclusion or for privileged communications, so the lawyer can cut it

AI must not

  • Must not draft the witness's answers, a declaration, an affidavit, or words for the witness to adopt
  • Must not add facts that are not in the evidence table or the lawyer's notes
  • Must not serve a deposition notice or a subpoena

The lawyer checks

  • Topics match the claims, the documents, and any Rule 30(b)(6) notice
  • Leave of court is checked against Rule 30(a)(2) before the notice goes out
  • The outline stays work product. It is not an exhibit and not a script handed to the witness

Method: how the Green, Yellow and Red levels are decided. This is guidance for planning, not legal advice.

Authorities

Read the full text

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