Fatir v. Jones et al
Filing
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MEMORANDUM. Signed by Judge Gregory M. Sleet on 12/10/14. (mas)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE
AMIRFATIR,
Petitioner,
v.
SGT. RAYNARD JONES, et aI.,
Respondents.
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) Civ. Action No. 14-1329-GMS
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MEMORANDUM
I.
BACKGROUND
The petitioner, Amir Fatir ("Fatir"), an inmate at the James T. Vaughn Correctional
Center, Smyrna, Delaware, appears pro se. He did not pay the filing fee or submit an application
to proceed in forma pauperis. Thereafter, the court entered an order for Fatir to pay the filing fee
pursuant to the requirements of forth in 28 U.S.c. § 1915. (D.I. 9.) Fatir moves for
reconsideration. (D.L 14.)
II.
MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION
On October 20, 2014, Fatir submitted a "Petition for Court Order Authorizing
Depositions to Perpetuate Testimony Before an Action is Filed Pursuant to Rule 27(a) of the
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure." Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1914(b), all district courts are
required to collect fees for miscellaneous filings pursuant to the fee schedule established by the
Judicial Conference. The filing fee for petitions to perpetuate testimony pursuant to Rule 27(a)
of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, effective December 1,2013, requires that $46.00 be paid
in order to file documents that are not filed in a case or proceeding for which a filing fee has been
paid.
Fatir is correct that the filing fee in this matter is not $350.00 plus the $50 administrative
fee, but is $46.00 for the filing of any document that is not related to pending case or proceeding.
Therefore, the court will vacate the October 23,2014 order (D.L 9) and will grant the motion for
reconsideration (D.L 14).
III.
FEDERAL RULE CIVIL PROCEDURE 27
Prior to bringing an action, Rule 27 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure allows a
person to petition a court "to perpetuate testimony regarding any matter that may be cognizable
in any court of the United States." Fed. R. Civ. P. 27(a)(l). Relief under Rule 27 is available
"[i]f the court is satisfied that the perpetuation of the testimony may prevent a failure or delay of
justice," and it lists five requirements for a properly supported petition. While it appears that
Fatir has satisfied the five requirements, Rule 27 is restricted to "only ... that special category of
cases where it is necessary to prevent testimony from being lost." Ash v. Cort, 512 F.2d 909,912
(3d Cir. 1975).
Most petitions to perpetuate testimony have been granted when a witness is aged or
gravely injured and in danger of dying or there are geographical constraints. See, e.g., Texaco,
Inc. v. Borda, 383 F.2d 607 (3rd Cir. 1967) (permitting deposition of a witness of advanced age
in suit that had been stayed pending resolution of parallel criminal prosecution); Petition ofDelta
Quarries and Disposal, Inc., 139 F.R.D. 68 (M.D. Pa. 1991) (deponent's condition was serious
and only deponent had knowledge of activities at landfill before 1978 when physical records
began to be kept); In re Sims, 389 F.2d 148,150 (5th Cir. 1967) (potential deponent was
imminently departing for Peru).
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In the absence of special circumstances, however, Rule 27 petitions have been denied.
Fatir does not state a special circumstance and has made no specific showing that the testimony
he seeks to perpetuate is in any danger of being lost if depositions of the named individuals are
not immediately taken. Therefore, the court finds neither a failure or delay ofjustice that merits
allowing Fatir to perpetuate testimony prior to his filing an action in this court.
IV.
CONCLUSION
For the above reasons, the court will: (1) grant the motion for reconsideration (D.I. 14);
(2) vacate the October 23, 2014 order (D.I. 9); (3) order Fatir to pay the $46.00 filing fee;
(4) deny as moot the motion to order mental examination (D.I. 10); (5) decline to allow Fatir to
proceed with Fed. R. Civ. P. 27(a) depositions; and (6) direct the Clerk of the Court to close this
matter.
An appropriate order will be entered.
_~-L---"",,-------,I_tO_ _, 2014
Wilmington, Delaware
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