Deposition in lieu of oral testimony; application; procedures; form; rulings

(a) An application to take the deposition of a witness in lieu of oral testimony shall be in writing and shall set forth the reasons such deposition should be taken, the name and address of the witness, the matters concerning which it is expected he will testify and the time and place proposed for the taking of the deposition, together with the name and address of the person before whom it is desired that the deposition be taken (for purposes of this section, hereinafter referred to as "the officer"). Such application shall be filed with the Commission or the Hearing Officer, as the case may be, and shall be served on all other parties and intervenors not less than 7 days prior to the time when it is desired that the deposition be taken. Where good cause has been shown, the Commission or the Hearing Officer shall make and serve on the parties and intervenors an order which specifies the name of the witness whose deposition is to be taken and the time, place, and designation of the officer before whom the witness is to testify. Such officer may or may not be the officer specified in the application. (b) Such deposition may be taken before any officer authorized to administer oaths by the laws of the State of Connecticut. (c) At the time and place specified in the order, the officer designated to take such deposition shall permit the witness to be examined and cross-examined under oath by all parties appearing, and the testimony of the witness shall be reduced to typewriting by the officer or under his direction. All objections to questions or evidence shall be deemed waived unless made at the examination. The officer shall not have power to rule upon any objection, but he shall note them upon the deposition. The testimony shall be subscribed by the witness in the presence of the officer who shall attach his certificate stating that the witness was duly sworn by him, that the deposition is a true record of the testimony and exhibits given by the witness, and that the officer is not of counsel or attorney to any of the parties nor interested in the proceeding. If the deposition is signed by the witness because he is ill, dead, cannot be found, or refuses to sign it, such fact shall be included in the certificate of the officer and the deposition may be used as fully as though signed. The officer shall immediately deliver an original and four copies of the transcript, together with his certificate, in person or by registered mail to the Secretary at the Review Commission. (d) The Hearing Officer shall rule upon the admissibility of the deposition or any part thereof. (e) All errors or irregularities in compliance with the provision of this section shall be deemed waived unless a motion to suppress the deposition or some part thereof is made with reasonable promptness after such defect is, or with due diligence might have been, discovered. (f) If the parties so stipulate in writing, depositions may be taken before any person at any time or place, upon any notice and in any manner, and when so taken may be used as other depositions.