Title 4. Civil Discovery Act · Chapter 5. Methods and Sequence of Discovery · Article 1. General Provisions · Enacted 2004 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 29, 2026
In one sentenceSection 2019.030 requires a court to restrict discovery that is unreasonably cumulative, duplicative, or obtainable more easily elsewhere, or that is unduly burdensome given the case's needs and stakes, on a protective-order motion supported by a meet-and-confer declaration, with sanctions against a party who unsuccessfully brings or opposes such a motion.
(a)The court shall restrict the frequency or extent of use of a discovery method provided in Section 2019.010 if it determines either of the following:
(1)The discovery sought is unreasonably cumulative or duplicative, or is obtainable from some other source that is more convenient, less burdensome, or less expensive.
(2)The selected method of discovery is unduly burdensome or expensive, taking into account the needs of the case, the amount in controversy, and the importance of the issues at stake in the litigation.
(b)The court may make these determinations pursuant to a motion for a protective order by a party or other affected person. This motion shall be accompanied by a meet and confer declaration under Section 2016.040.
(c)The court shall impose a monetary sanction under Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 2023.010) against any party, person, or attorney who unsuccessfully makes or opposes a motion for a protective order, unless it finds that the one subject to the sanction acted with substantial justification or that other circumstances make the imposition of the sanction unjust.
Plain-English Summary
Discovery has limits, and this section tells courts when to enforce them. A court has to restrict how often or how far a discovery method gets used if the discovery sought is unreasonably cumulative or duplicative, or is available from some more convenient, less burdensome, or less expensive source. The same restriction applies when the chosen method is unduly burdensome or expensive once the court weighs the needs of the case, the amount in controversy, and how much is really at stake in the litigation.
These findings come up through a motion for a protective order, brought by the party targeted by discovery or another affected person, and that motion has to be accompanied by a declaration showing the parties tried to work things out first. There's a real cost to guessing wrong here: if a party or attorney unsuccessfully makes or opposes a protective order motion, the court must impose a monetary sanction, unless the losing side acted with substantial justification or the circumstances make a sanction unjust.
Frequently Asked Questions
When must a court limit the frequency or extent of discovery?
When the discovery sought is unreasonably cumulative or duplicative, is available from a more convenient or less costly source, or is unduly burdensome or expensive given the case's needs and stakes.
How does a party ask the court to restrict discovery under this section?
By moving for a protective order, accompanied by a meet-and-confer declaration under Section 2016.040.
Is there a penalty for losing a protective order motion under this section?
Generally yes. The court must impose a monetary sanction against the losing party, person, or attorney unless they acted with substantial justification or a sanction would be unjust.
Amendment History
(Added by Stats.2004, c. 182 (A.B.3081), § 23, operative July 1, 2005.)
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
the West's Annotated California Codes / Thomson Reuters. Enacted by the California Legislature.
Last verified July 29, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as:protective order limiting discovery californiaunduly burdensome discovery motion