| name | subpoena-duces-tecum |
| title | Subpoena Duces Tecum |
| description | Drafts a Subpoena Duces Tecum compelling document production without testimony under Federal Rule 45 or state equivalents. Covers recipient designation, records scoping, production format, privilege notices, and service certification. Trigger when drafting records-only subpoenas, third-party document discovery, or duces tecum commands in litigation. |
| author | CaseMark |
| author_url | https://github.com/CaseMark/skills/tree/main/skills/legal/subpoena-duces-tecum |
| license | Apache-2.0 |
| version | 0.1.0 |
| execution_mode | open |
| jurisdiction | us |
| practice | litigation |
| language | en |
| tags | ["drafting","pleading"] |
Subpoena Duces Tecum
Drafts an enforceable subpoena compelling production of documents or records from a party or non-party, without requiring personal appearance.
Required Inputs
- Case identifiers — party names (as captioned), case number, court with division/judge
- Recipient — full legal name, title, service address; for entities: custodian of records or registered agent
- Target records — document categories, date ranges, identifying details (account numbers, transaction dates, names)
- Jurisdiction — federal (Rule 45) or state rules; applicable local rules
- Special considerations — HIPAA-covered entities, financial institution privacy rules, government agency protocols, out-of-state service
Workflow
1. Court Header and Caption
- Full court name with division
- Caption matching operative pleadings exactly
- Case number with judge/division designation
- Formatting per local rules (font, margins, spacing)
2. Issuing Attorney Block
- Name, firm, address, phone, email, bar number
- Authorizing rule citation (Fed. R. Civ. P. 45 or state equivalent)
- Confirm whether jurisdiction requires clerk issuance vs. attorney issuance
3. Recipient Designation
- Complete legal name and title/position
- Entity recipients: custodian of records or designated agent with registered entity name
- Service address verified against case documents and public records
4. Command Language
Draft command that compels production without personal appearance and specifies:
- Production method — physical delivery (address, access instructions), electronic transmission (secure method, format: native/PDF/TIFF, metadata preservation), or on-site inspection (location, hours, copying arrangements)
- Organization — records labeled by request category; Bates numbering if appropriate
5. Records Description
For each category specify:
- Date range (exact start and end dates)
- Subject matter with specific description
- Identifying details (account numbers, names, transaction IDs)
- Format (paper, ESI, native files)
Per-category checks:
- Time-bounded with exact dates
- Specific enough for recipient to identify responsive records
