Rule 36.Requests for Admission.

Subdivision (a) allows a written request that another party admit, for purposes of the pending action only, the truth of any matter within the scope of Rule 26(b) that relates to statements or opinions of fact, or to the application of law to fact, including whether a described document is genuine. Copies of the documents are served with the request unless they have already been furnished or made available for inspection and copying. The request may be served on the plaintiff after the action is commenced, and on any other party with or after service of the summons, complaint, Language Assistance Notice and all other required documents.

The deadline does the work. Each matter is set out separately, and each one is admitted unless, within thirty days after service, the answering party serves a written answer or objection addressed to that matter, signed by the party under oath. Unless the court shortens the time, a defendant cannot be required to serve answers or objections before forty-five days have run from service of the summons, complaint, Language Assistance Notice and all other required documents. The court may also allow a shorter or longer period. Missing the date is not a technicality here — silence produces an admission.

The answer itself has standards. A denial must meet the substance of what was requested, and a party who can admit part must specify what is true and qualify or deny the remainder. Lack of information is no answer unless the party states that it has made reasonable inquiry and that the information known or readily obtainable is insufficient to admit or deny. A party may not object on the sole ground that the matter presents an issue for trial; it may deny the matter or set out why it cannot admit or deny, subject to Rule 37(c). The requesting party may move to determine the sufficiency of answers or objections, and the court may order an answer served, order the matter admitted, order an amended answer, or send final disposition to a pre-trial conference. Rule 37(a)(4) governs expenses on that motion.

Subdivision (b) explains why these requests carry weight. A matter admitted is conclusively established unless the court on motion permits withdrawal or amendment. Subject to Rule 16, which governs amendment of a pre-trial order, the court may permit withdrawal or amendment when presentation of the merits will be promoted by it and the party who obtained the admission fails to satisfy the court that withdrawal or amendment will prejudice it in maintaining its action or defense. The admission belongs to this case alone: it is not an admission for any other purpose and may not be used against the party in another proceeding, except in a later action between the same parties involving the same claim.