Adopted November 1, 2020 · Last verified July 8, 2026
In one sentenceRule 133 sets presumptive limits on interrogatories, document requests, admission requests, and depositions in BCD cases unless the scheduling order says otherwise, and lets parties submit a confidentiality order, whether jointly agreed or contested, without limiting the court's separate power to control confidential material at any later stage.
(a)Presumptive Discovery Limits. Unless otherwise authorized by the provisions of the BCD scheduling order, each party may serve upon any other party no more than
(1)30 interrogatories, including all subparts;
(2)30 requests, including all subparts, for production of documents;
(3)20 requests, including all subparts, for admissions; and
(4)5 notices of deposition or subpoenas for deposition for persons other than experts.
(b)Confidentiality Orders. A party by motion or with the agreement of all parties may submit to the court a proposed order governing the production and use of confidential documents and information in the pending action. The party or parties may (1) draft their own order or (2) utilize or customize a draft confidentiality order from an approved BCD form. The entry of a confidentiality order by the court does not limit the court’s power to make orders concerning the disclosure of documents produced in discovery, filed with the court, or presented at trial, including whether and under what circumstances the document will retain its confidential designation.
Advisory Committee’s Notes & Reporter’s Notes
Advisory Note – November 2020
Former Rule 133(b), which allowed a moving party to request a Rule 26(g) discovery dispute conference through email, has been eliminated because such a request will be submitted through the EFS.
Former Rule 133(c) is now Rule 133(b). Last reviewed and edited November 3, 2020
Plain-English Summary
Unless the BCD scheduling order authorizes more, each party may serve on any other party no more than 30 interrogatories, 30 document production requests, and 20 requests for admission, all counting subparts, plus five deposition notices or subpoenas for people other than experts.
A party, by motion, or all parties together, by agreement, may submit a proposed order to govern how confidential documents and information get produced and used in the case, either drafting one from scratch or adapting an approved BCD form. Entering a confidentiality order doesn't limit the court's separate authority to control the disclosure of documents produced in discovery, filed with the court, or used at trial, including whether and when a document keeps its confidential status.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many interrogatories can a party serve in a Maine BCD case?
No more than 30, including subparts, unless the scheduling order authorizes more.
Can BCD parties get a confidentiality order for discovery materials?
Yes, either by motion or by agreement, using their own draft or an approved BCD form.
Does a confidentiality order limit the court's control over confidential documents later in the case?
No. The court retains separate authority over disclosure of confidential material filed with the court or used at trial.
Source & verification. The rule text and Advisory Committee’s Notes / Reporter’s
Notes are reproduced verbatim from the official Maine Rules of Civil Procedure (Me. R. Civ. P. 133), prescribed by the
Supreme Judicial Court of Maine (4 M.R.S. § 8, the Rules Enabling Act). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 8, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as:BCD discovery limits Maineconfidentiality order business docketpresumptive discovery limits Maine