Unless the court orders otherwise, the parties may by written 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 the procedures provided by these rules for other methods of discovery.
Rule 29.Stipulations Regarding Discovery Procedure
Last amended July 1, 1970 · Last verified July 1, 2026
In one sentenceRule 29 lets parties, by written agreement, take depositions before any person, at any time or place, in any manner, and modify the discovery procedures the rules otherwise prescribe, unless the court orders otherwise.
Full Text of Rule 29
Amendment History
Effective Date: July 1, 1970
Plain-English Summary
Rule 29 gives parties room to streamline discovery without court intervention. By written stipulation, they may agree that a deposition can be taken before any person — including someone who would otherwise be disqualified under Rule 28(C) — at any time or place, on any notice, and in any manner, and that a deposition so taken may be used just like any other deposition. The same stipulation authority lets parties modify the procedures the rules set out for other discovery methods, such as interrogatories or document requests, so long as the court has not ordered otherwise.
Because a stipulation can waive the safeguards Rule 28(C) otherwise provides, it is good practice to spell out in the stipulation itself exactly what interest or relationship is being waived, and to have the stipulation signed by the attorneys for all parties and made part of the deposition record.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can parties agree to change about discovery under Rule 29?
By written stipulation, parties may agree to take depositions before any person, at any time or place, on any notice, and in any manner, and may modify the procedures for other discovery methods as well.
Can parties stipulate around the disqualification rules in Rule 28?
Yes. Rule 29 lets parties agree that a deposition be taken before a person who would otherwise be disqualified under Rule 28(C), such as someone financially interested in the case.
Does a discovery stipulation need court approval?
No, unless the court has already ordered otherwise in the case. Rule 29 stipulations operate by agreement of the parties alone.
Source & verification. The rule text, Effective Date, Amended dates, and Staff Notes are reproduced verbatim from the
official Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure (Ohio R. Civ. P. 29). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Ohio (Ohio Constitution, Art. IV, § 5(B)). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 1, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: discovery stipulationsstipulated depositions