ORDER REGARDING DEFENDANTS' MOTION TO COMPEL, AND DIRECTING THE PARTIES TO MEET AND CONFER

(ECF No. 28)

BARBARA A. McAULIFFE, Magistrate Judge.

Plaintiff is a former state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis in this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983.

On October 27, 2017, Defendants filed a motion to compel pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 37(a)(3)(B). (ECF No. 28.)

Under this court's discovery and scheduling order, the parties are relieved of the requirement in Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 26 and 37, and Local Rule 251, to attempt to confer in good faith to resolve a discovery dispute prior to filing any motion to compel. Voluntary compliance is encouraged, but not required. The court's order further provides that the meet and confer requirement may be reimposed in any case that the court deems it appropriate.

Upon review of the motion to compel referenced above, the court finds it appropriate to require the parties to engage in a meet and confer conference regarding their discovery dispute. Defense counsel is directed to contact Plaintiff by telephone, or to set-up an in-person meeting, regarding the parties' discovery dispute within twenty-one (21) days of the date of this order. Briefing on the motion to compel is stayed during the meet and confer process, and the opposing party is relieved of their obligation to respond to the motion until further order of the court.

In conducting the meet and confer conference, the parties are reminded that they are required to act in good faith during the course of discovery. Complete, accurate, and truthful discovery responses are required. False or incomplete responses violate the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and subject an offending party and/or counsel to sanctions. Boilerplate objections will not be tolerated and will be summarily overruled. Privileges are narrowly construed and are generally disfavored. Information not properly disclosed may be excluded from use at a hearing, motion, or trial.

Within seven (7) days of the parties' conference, defense counsel shall file a Joint Statement regarding the meet and confer conference. All parties shall participate in the preparation of the Joint Statement, and must sign the Joint Statement. Electronic signatures are acceptable; a wet signature is not required.

The Joint Statement shall set forth the following:

(a) a statement that the parties met and conferred in good faith regarding the dispute, by phone or in-person, including the date(s) of the conference(s);

(b) a statement explaining whether the motion to compel was resolved in full or in part through the meet and confer process; and

(c) if any issues from the motion remain unresolved, a statement referring the court to each specific discovery request that is still at issue.

Upon review of the Joint Statement, the court shall issue a further order regarding the motion to compel. No additional filings may be made regarding the motion to compel unless and until ordered by the court.

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. The parties are ordered to meet and confer regarding Defendants' motion to compel, as outlined above;

2. Plaintiff is relieved of his obligation to respond to the motion to compel until further order of the court;

3. Within thirty (30) days of the date of service of this order, a Joint Statement shall be filed in this matter as outlined above; and

4. The parties are warned that the failure to meet and confer in good faith as set forth in this order, or to comply with any of its terms, will result in the imposition of sanctions.

IT IS SO ORDERED.