---
title: "Deposition outline (not testimony)"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/precedents/commercial-litigation-and-dispute-resolution/us-deposition-outline"
type: "precedent"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "a5-us-deposition-outline"
area_id: "A5"
kind: "checklist"
ai_level: "yellow"
version: 1
task_ids: ["A5-T1-R9", "A5-P20260916-1", "A5-T1-R5"]
law_stated_as_at: "2026-10-22"
---

# 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.

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/precedents/commercial-litigation-and-dispute-resolution/us-deposition-outline  
Law stated as at: 2026-10-22

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

- Kind: Checklist. Steps or checks to work through and tick off.
- Practice area: [Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution](https://ailawframework.com/precedents/commercial-litigation-and-dispute-resolution.md)
- Jurisdictions: United States
- AI level: Yellow. You and the tool draft together, with you directing. You check every statement you rely on.
- Law stated as at: 2026-10-22
- Status: Maintained. Checked on 2026-10-22 against the 4 authorities it cites, for United States.

## 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

- [Prepare a hearing chronology from the key documents](https://ailawframework.com/practice/commercial-litigation-and-dispute-resolution/prepare-a-hearing-chronology-from-the-key-documents.md)
- [Build an issue-to-document evidence table](https://ailawframework.com/practice/commercial-litigation-and-dispute-resolution/build-an-issue-to-document-evidence-table.md)
- [Draft written submissions from the evidence table](https://ailawframework.com/practice/commercial-litigation-and-dispute-resolution/draft-written-submissions-from-the-evidence-table.md)

## 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

## Authorities

- [Fed. R. Civ. P. 30 (leave, notice, Rule 30(b)(6) designation and conferral, objections, one day of seven hours, 30-day review)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/frcp/rule_30)
- [Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(b)(1) and 26(b)(4) (scope; expert depositions after the report where a report is required)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/frcp/rule_26)
- [Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(c) and 37(a) (protective orders and motions to compel; confer first)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/frcp/rule_26)
- [Fed. R. Civ. P. 45, as cross-referred in Rule 30(a)(1) and 30(b)(6), for a non-party subpoena](https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/frcp/rule_30)

## Full text and drafting notes

The full text and the drafting notes are not part of this public page. Signed-in firm accounts can read them at https://ailawframework.com/precedents/commercial-litigation-and-dispute-resolution/us-deposition-outline and through the signed-in MCP connector https://ailawframework.com/mcp/firm.

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*