Unless otherwise directed by the court the parties may by stipulation (1) provide that depositions may be taken before any person, at any time or place, upon any notice, and in any manner, and when so taken may be used like other depositions, and (2) modify other procedures governing or limitations placed upon discovery, except that stipulations extending the time provided in Rules 33, 34, and 36 for responses to discovery may, if they would interfere with any time set for completion of discovery, for hearing of a motion, or for trial, be made only with the approval of the court.
Rule 29.Stipulations Regarding Discovery Procedure
Last amended January 1, 1997 · Last verified July 1, 2026
In one sentenceRule 29 lets parties agree among themselves to change most of the standard discovery procedures, like where and how depositions happen, though changes to certain response deadlines need the court’s approval if they would interfere with the case schedule.
Full Text of Rule 29
Advisory Committee Comments
Amendment History
- (Amended effective January 1, 1997.)
Plain-English Summary
Discovery does not always have to follow the default rules to the letter. Rule 29 lets the parties, by agreement, decide that depositions can be taken before any person, at any time or place, on any notice, and in any manner they choose, and once taken that way, the deposition can be used the same as one taken under the standard procedures. Parties can also agree to modify other discovery procedures and limitations beyond depositions, giving them flexibility to streamline the process in ways that work for their particular case.
There is one significant exception. If parties want to stipulate to extend the response deadlines for interrogatories, document requests, or requests for admission, they can generally do that on their own — but not if the extension would interfere with a deadline already set for completing discovery, for a motion hearing, or for trial. In that situation, the parties need the court’s approval before the extension takes effect. And all of this flexibility exists only unless the court has directed otherwise in the case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the parties agree to take a deposition somewhere other than what the rules normally require?
Yes, unless the court directs otherwise, parties may stipulate that depositions be taken before any person, at any time or place, on any notice, and in any manner, and use it like any other deposition.
Do we need court approval to agree to extend a discovery response deadline?
Only if the extension would interfere with a deadline already set for completing discovery, a motion hearing, or trial; otherwise the parties can generally agree to extend response deadlines on their own.
Can parties change other discovery procedures besides depositions by agreement?
Yes, the rule allows parties to modify other procedures and limitations governing discovery by stipulation, subject to the same court-approval exception for response deadlines that would interfere with scheduled deadlines.
Does the court have the final say over these stipulations?
Yes, all of this is available unless otherwise directed by the court, and certain deadline extensions require court approval outright.
Source & verification. The rule text and Advisory Committee Comments are reproduced verbatim from the
official Minnesota Rules of Civil Procedure (Minn. R. Civ. P. 29). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Minnesota (Minn. Stat. § 480.051). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 1, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: discovery stipulations rule
Advisory Committee Comments--1996 Amendments
This change conforms the rule to its federal counterpart. The committee believes it is desirable to permit stipulations regarding discovery whenever those stipulations do not impact the court’s handling of the action. Particularly in state court practice, it is often necessary to extend discovery deadlines--without affecting other case management deadlines--and the parties should be encouraged to do so. Counsel agreeing to discovery after a deadline should not expect court assistance in enforcing discovery obligations nor should non-completion affect any other motions, hearings, or other case management procedures.