§ 9-11-36.Requests for admission

A request for admission asks another party to concede matters within the chapter’s general discovery scope — statements or opinions of fact, the application of law to fact, or the genuineness of a document, with copies of any referenced document served alongside the request unless already available. Like interrogatories and production requests, it goes out without leave of court, on the plaintiff after commencement and on any other party with or after service of the summons and complaint.

Silence is costly under this section: each matter is admitted unless a written answer or objection reaches the requesting party within 30 days, or, for a defendant, not before 45 days after service of the summons and complaint, unless the court shortens that floor. A denial has to address the substance of what was asked, not dodge around it, and a party may qualify or deny only part of a request when good faith calls for that. Claiming ignorance is not an easy out — a party can’t cite lack of information as a reason to skip answering unless it states it made a reasonable inquiry and still lacks enough information to admit or deny. And believing a request touches a disputed trial issue is not, by itself, a valid reason to object instead of admitting, denying, or explaining why the party can do neither.

The requesting party can ask the court to rule on whether an answer or objection is adequate; the court can order a better answer, deem the matter admitted outright, or defer the issue to a pretrial conference. Once a matter is admitted, it’s conclusively established for purposes of that action unless the court allows withdrawal or amendment — relief granted only when it serves the presentation of the merits and the requesting party can’t show it would be prejudiced. And an admission made under this section stays confined to the pending action; it isn’t an admission for any other purpose and can’t be used against that party in any other proceeding.