Wisconsin Administrative Code
Department of Workforce Development
DWD 218-226 - Civil Rights
Chapter DWD 223 - Public employee safety and health
Section DWD 223.14 - Pre-hearing discovery

(1) WHEN DISCOVERY MAY BEGIN. Discovery may not be used prior to the time that a matter is certified to hearing, except that the taking and preservation of evidence shall be permitted prior to certification to hearing under the circumstances set forth in s. 227.45(7), Stats.

(2) DISCOVERY DIRECTED TO A PARTY NOT REPRESENTED BY LEGAL COUNSEL. In the case of discovery directed to a party who is not represented by legal counsel, the party seeking that discovery shall, not less than 10 days prior to conducting the discovery, state in writing that it intends to seek discovery. The party seeking discovery shall send this notice to the party who is not represented by legal counsel and to either the chief of the hearing section or the administrative law judge, if one has been assigned to the case. All copies of demands for discovery and notices of depositions shall be filed with the division at the time they are served upon the unrepresented party from whom the discovery is sought. Copies of responses to discovery by an unrepresented party and the original transcript of any deposition of an unrepresented party shall be filed with the division by the party which instituted those discovery requests as soon as practicable after the discovery has been taken.

(3) SCOPE, METHOD, AND USE OF DISCOVERY. The scope of discovery, the methods of discovery, and the use of discovery at hearing shall be the same as set forth in ch. 804, Stats.

(4) FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH DISCOVERY REQUESTS; DUTY TO CONSULT WITH OPPOSING PARTY. The administrative law judge may compel discovery, issue protective orders, and impose sanctions in the manner provided under ch. 804, Stats. All motions to compel discovery or motions for protective orders shall be accompanied by a statement in writing by the party making the motion that, after consultation in person or by telephone with the opposing party and sincere attempts to resolve their differences, the parties are unable to reach agreement. The statement shall state the date and place of such consultation and the names of all parties participating in the consultation.

(5) FILING WITH DIVISION. Copies of discovery requests and responses to discovery requests need not be filed with the division, except as required under sub. (2).