Amended Subpoena Rules and Forms Take Effect October 9, 2009

On August 10, 2009, the Iowa Supreme Court amended a number of civil procedure rules, including rules related to civil subpoenas.

Rule 1.1701 is substantially rewritten. However, the changes are largely reformatting and rewording from the old rule, as opposed to significant substantive changes. The Court did prescribe new subpoena forms, which are provided below.

There is a substantive change in Rule 1.715, which pertains to deposition subpoenas. The old rule provided that a non-party witness could be subpoenaed for a deposition in the county in which he/she resides, works, or transacts business in person. The new rule substitutes “within 50 miles” in place of “in the county.”

Here are the new forms:

Form 13 – Subpoena Form to Testify at Deposition or Produce Documents

Form 14 – Subpoena Form to Testify at Hearing or Trial

Form 15 – Subpoena Form to Produce Documents or Permit Inspection