Unless the court orders otherwise, the parties may agree in writing to:
Rule 29.Stipulations regarding discovery procedure.
Last amended July 1, 2018 · Last verified July 1, 2026
In one sentenceRule 29 lets parties agree in writing, without needing a court order, to take a deposition before any certified reporter at any time, place, or in any manner they choose, and to extend the deadlines for responding to interrogatories, production requests, or requests for admission, as long as doing so doesn’t interfere with a court-ordered deadline.
Full Text of Rule 29
a take a deposition before any certified reporter, at any time or place, on any notice, and in any manner specified, in which event it may be used in the same way as any other deposition; and
Amendment History
Promulgated by R-16-0010, effective January 1, 2017; amended by R-17-0010, effective July 1, 2018.
Plain-English Summary
Discovery does not always need a judge's involvement. Rule 29 lets parties agree in writing to shortcuts that make discovery more convenient. They can stipulate that a deposition be taken before any certified reporter, at whatever time, place, and manner they choose, and once taken that way, the deposition can be used exactly like any other. They can also agree to extend the deadlines Rules 33, 34, and 36 set for responding to interrogatories, production requests, or requests for admission.
The one limit on that flexibility: an agreed extension cannot interfere with a deadline the court itself has set, such as a discovery cutoff in a Scheduling Order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can parties agree to take a deposition without following the usual formalities?
Yes, by written stipulation they can choose any certified reporter, time, place, or manner, and the deposition is usable like any other.
Can parties agree to extend discovery response deadlines on their own?
Yes, for interrogatories, production requests, and requests for admission, as long as it doesn’t interfere with a court-ordered deadline.
Does a stipulation under Rule 29 need to be in writing?
Yes.
Source & verification. The rule text and History are reproduced verbatim from the
official Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure (Ariz. R. Civ. P. 29). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Arizona (Ariz. Const. art. 6, § 5). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 1, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: discovery stipulationsstipulated deposition procedureextending discovery deadlines by agreement