Local Rule 29.01: Stipulations Regarding Discovery Procedures

29.01: Stipulations Regarding Discovery Procedures. Where these Local Civil Rules or the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure allow modifications by written stipulation of discovery procedures or limitations (i.e., Fed. R. Civ. P. 26, 29), the stipulation may be accomplished by correspondence. The procedural modifications may include the granting of an extension of time to respond to written discovery requests, but no extension may place the due date less than thirty (30) days before the end of the discovery period. See Local Civ. Rule 37.01 (D.S.C.). Note, however, that Fed. R. Civ. P. 29 specifically prohibits stipulations extending the time for responding to discovery "if [the extension] would interfere with the time set for completing discovery, for hearing of a motion, or for trial." The latter may be made only with approval of the court. See Local Civ. Rules 6.01, 37.01 (D.S.C.).