(a) Notice.

The notice for a deposition shall be in the form prescribed in FRCP 30, and in addition shall state the identity of persons who will attend other than the witness, parties, spouses of parties, counsel, employees of counsel, and the officer taking the deposition. If any party intends to have any other persons attend, that party must give reasonable notice to all parties of the identity of such other persons.

(b) Procedures, Examinations and Objections.

The parties are permitted to stipulate on the record of the deposition any agreement regarding the rules for the deposition. Objections during depositions shall be stated concisely and in a non-argumentative and non-suggestive manner. An attorney shall not, in the presence of the deponent, make objections or statements that might suggest an answer to the deponent. An attorney for a deponent shall not initiate a private conference with the deponent regarding a pending question, except for the purpose of determining whether a claim of privilege should be asserted. An attorney who instructs a deponent not to answer a question shall state, on the record, the legal basis for the instruction consistent with FRCP 30(d)(1). If a claim of privilege has been asserted as a basis for an instruction not to answer, the attorney seeking discovery shall have reasonable latitude during the deposition to question the deponent and establish relevant information concerning the appropriateness of the assertion of the privilege, including (i) the applicability of the privilege being asserted, (ii) the circumstances that may result in the privilege having been waived, and (iii) circumstances that may overcome a claim of qualified privilege. A violation of the provisions of this local Rule may be deemed to be a violation of a Court order and may subject the violator to sanctions under FRCP 37(b)(2).