515 R.I. Code R. 10-00-2 § 515-RICR-10-00-2 § 2.13
Discovery
Operative Text
A. Rights of Discovery. Following a finding of probable cause, the parties shall enjoy the same rights of discovery as are provided in the Rhode Island Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure. B. Applicability of Rules. The Rhode Island Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure governing discovery shall be applicable to discovery under this rule, except to the extent that those Rules by their nature would be inapplicable, and as otherwise specifically provided in this Chapter. C. Discovery Motions. A party may file with the Commission any discovery motion allowed by the Rhode Island Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure. The Motion must be served upon all parties. Any party who objects to the Motion must file an Objection within fourteen (14) days after service of the Motion, unless otherwise specified by the Commission. D. Commission File. Any party may examine the case file after the finding of probable cause has been made or the case has been closed, but documents involving communications between the Commission and other civil rights agencies, internal memoranda, documents relating to conciliation or settlement, and documents revealing the identity of confidential sources will be removed from the case file by a staff member before the file is examined by any party. The Commission shall be entitled to a reasonable charge for any copying and such charge shall be prepaid. E. Witnesses. Either party or the Commission may request a list of the witnesses and a copy of the documents which the other party intends to present at hearing. Such lists or documents shall be provided by the date specified by the Commission. Either party may move for a Protective Order. F. Completion of Discovery. All discovery shall be completed at least thirty (30) days prior to the commencement of the hearing before the Commission, or any rescheduling thereof.
Section 515-RICR-10-00-2 § 2.13 establishes the discovery framework that applies once a probable cause finding has been made in a housing discrimination proceeding before the Rhode Island Commission. Both parties gain access to the same discovery tools available under Rhode Island Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure, including the ability to file discovery motions, request witness lists, and review documents the other side intends to present at hearing. Certain sensitive materials—such as conciliation documents, internal memoranda, and information identifying confidential sources—are shielded from the case file review process. All discovery must wrap up at least 30 days before the scheduled hearing date.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers responding to a housing discrimination complaint before the Rhode Island Commission should be aware that § 515-RICR-10-00-2 § 2.13 activates full civil-procedure-style discovery rights for both sides after a probable cause determination. Compliant operators generally respond to discovery requests in a timely manner, serve any discovery motions on all parties, and file objections within the 14-day window when warranted. Operators also typically ensure that all discovery obligations are fulfilled no later than 30 days before the hearing, and they may request a Protective Order if sensitive business information is at issue.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 515-RICR-10-00-2 § 2.13, tenants who have received a probable cause finding in their favor before the Rhode Island Commission are entitled to the same broad discovery rights used in Superior Court civil cases. This includes the ability to request witness lists, obtain copies of documents the other side plans to use at hearing, and file discovery motions with the Commission—with objections from the other party due within 14 days of service. Tenants may also review the Commission's case file, keeping in mind that certain protected materials will be removed before inspection; tenant-rights organizations or legal aid offices can help individuals understand how to use these discovery tools effectively.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 15, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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