How many interrogatories can the other side send me under Georgia rules?

· 3 min read

Georgia limits the number of written interrogatories one party may serve on another. The default cap is 50, counting subparts, and a party who wants to exceed it must get permission from the court.

The 50-interrogatory limit

Under O.C.G.A. § 9-11-33, no party may serve more than 50 interrogatories on any other party without leave of court. Importantly, the count includes subparts, so a single numbered question that contains several distinct subquestions can use up more than one of the allotted 50. This prevents a party from evading the cap by packing many separate inquiries into one numbered item.

The limit applies per party relationship in the case. It is meant to keep written discovery proportionate and to stop one side from burying the other under an unlimited volume of questions.

Going beyond the limit

The 50-interrogatory ceiling is not absolute. A party can ask the court for leave to serve additional interrogatories, but must justify the request. Georgia allows more upon a showing of complex litigation or undue hardship that would result if the extra questions are not permitted. In other words, the burden is on the party seeking more to explain why the case genuinely needs them, rather than serving extra questions first and asking forgiveness later.

Practical points about the limit include:

  • Subparts count, so questions are drafted carefully to stay within the cap.
  • The cap covers interrogatories specifically; other discovery tools like document requests and depositions are governed by their own rules.
  • A party served with more than the allowed number can object to the excess.

Responding within the limit

When a party receives interrogatories, the number and structure matter. If the other side has served more than the rules permit, that can be a basis to object to the surplus rather than answer everything. For interrogatories that fall within the limit and are otherwise proper, the obligation to answer fully and under oath still applies, generally within 30 days after service, though a defendant has 45 days after service of the summons and complaint. The limit controls how many questions can be asked, not whether proper questions must be answered.

The bottom line

Under O.C.G.A. § 9-11-33, the other side may generally serve no more than 50 interrogatories, including subparts, without the court’s permission. A party seeking more must show complex litigation or undue hardship, and a party served with too many can object to the excess while still answering the questions that fall within the limit.

This article is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not legal advice. It does not create an attorney-client relationship, and Georgia law may change. For advice about a specific situation, consult a licensed Georgia personal injury attorney.

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