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
Group 5: Depositions and Discovery · Last amended July 1, 1972 · Last verified July 13, 2026
In one sentenceRule 29 lets the parties agree by written stipulation to change the usual rules for taking depositions or using other discovery methods -- for example, before a different person, at a different time or place, or under a different procedure -- unless the court orders otherwise.
Full Text of Rule 29
Amendment History
Prior: RPPP Rule 29. Adopted May 5, 1967, effective July 1, 1967; amended May 26, 1972, effective July 1, 1972.
Plain-English Summary
Discovery doesn't always have to follow the default script, and Rule 29 is the tool parties use to depart from it by agreement. A written stipulation can let depositions happen before any person the parties choose, at any time or place, on any notice, and in any manner they agree to -- and a deposition taken this way can still be used just like any other deposition once it's on the record. The same stipulation power reaches beyond depositions: parties may also agree to modify the procedures these rules set out for other discovery methods, such as interrogatories or document requests.
The rule exists because rigid procedure sometimes costs more than it's worth. A witness's schedule, a convenient location, or a faster method of recording testimony can all be handled by agreement rather than a motion. But Rule 29 opens with a condition that matters: the parties' stipulation controls only unless the court orders otherwise, so a judge can still step in and override an agreement that doesn't serve the case well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can parties agree to change how a deposition will be taken in Washington?
Yes. Rule 29 lets parties stipulate in writing that a deposition may be taken before any person, at any time or place, on any notice, and in any manner, and such a deposition can still be used like any other deposition once taken.
Does a court have to approve a discovery stipulation under Rule 29?
Not by default -- the stipulation controls on its own. But Rule 29 opens with a qualifying phrase allowing a court to order otherwise, so a judge can override the parties' agreement if it doesn't serve the case.
Can parties modify the procedures for interrogatories or document requests the same way?
Yes. Rule 29's second clause lets parties modify by stipulation the procedures these rules provide for discovery methods generally, not just depositions.
If we take a deposition under a Rule 29 stipulation, can it still be used at trial?
Yes. Rule 29 specifies that a deposition taken under a stipulated arrangement may be used like any other deposition taken under the normal rules.
Source & verification. Rule text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Washington Superior Court Civil Rules, adopted by the
Supreme Court of Washington. Last verified July 13, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: stipulations about discovery procedureagree to alternate deposition procedure WashingtonCR 29 Washington discovery stipulationchanging deposition rules by agreement