Title 28Judiciary and Judicial ProcedureRelease 119-73

§1785 Subpoenas in multiparty, multiforum actions

Title 28 › Part PART V— - PROCEDURE › Chapter CHAPTER 117— - EVIDENCE; DEPOSITIONS › § 1785

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Under 1369, district courts may serve subpoenas for attendance at hearings/trials anywhere in or outside the U.S., but only if a motion shows good cause and the court sets conditions.

Full Legal Text

Title 28, §1785

Judiciary and Judicial Procedure — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

When the jurisdiction of the district court is based in whole or in part upon section 1369 of this title, a subpoena for attendance at a hearing or trial may, if authorized by the court upon motion for good cause shown, and upon such terms and conditions as the court may impose, be served at any place within the United States, or anywhere outside the United States if otherwise permitted by law.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 1785, act June 25, 1948, ch. 646, 62 Stat. 950, provided a privilege against self-incrimination on examination under letters rogatory, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 88–619, § 12(a), Oct. 3, 1964, 78 Stat. 998. See section 1782(a) of this title.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section applicable to a civil action if the accident giving rise to the cause of action occurred on or after the 90th day after Nov. 2, 2002, see section 11020(c) of Pub. L. 107–273, set out as a note under section 1369 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

28 U.S.C. § 1785

Title 28Judiciary and Judicial Procedure

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73