Rule 27.Expert Witnesses
Group V: Discovery · Last amended October 1, 2013 · Last verified July 14, 2026
Full Text of Rule 27
Amendment History
Adopted May 22, 2013, eff. October 1, 2013.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 27 is a short rule covering expert witness disclosure. Once the opposing party asks, or once the court sets a deadline through a scheduling order issued under Rule 5, a party has 30 days to disclose the expert witnesses, as defined in Evidence Rule 702, that it expects to call at trial. The content of that disclosure must conform to the requirements of RSA 516:29-b, the state statute governing expert disclosures, unless the parties agree to waive that requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
When must a party disclose its expert witnesses?
Within 30 days of a request from the opposing party, or by whatever deadline the court sets in a scheduling order issued under Rule 5.
What standard governs the content of an expert disclosure?
Rule 27(b) requires the disclosure to conform to RSA 516:29-b, the state statute governing expert witness disclosures, unless the parties agree to waive that requirement.
How does Rule 27 define an expert witness?
It refers to Evidence Rule 702 for the definition of who qualifies as an expert witness subject to the disclosure requirement.
Can the parties agree to different expert disclosure requirements?
Yes. Rule 27(b) allows the parties to waive the RSA 516:29-b requirements by agreement.
Where does the deadline for expert disclosure come from if the opposing party has not made a request?
It can come from an order of the court issued under Rule 5, which governs scheduling in the case.