What does 'merits of Hall' refer to in a deposition objection?

Full question:

Have you heard the term 'and or in merits of hall (hull)' or something similar? Context: Objection in a deposition: Argumentative. Misstates the document in 'merits a Hall.'

• Category: Discovery
• Subcategory: Depositions
• Date: 04/07/2025
• State: California

Answer:

The scope of permissible discovery is broad. It includes any non-privileged matter relevant to the subject matter involved, which is admissible in evidence or likely to lead to admissible evidence (Code of Civil Procedure § 2017.010). This means you can explore areas that may not be directly admissible if they help uncover other admissible evidence, as established in Greyhound Corp. v. Superior Court (Clay) (1961) 56 Cal.2d 355, 384.

Objections during depositions are more limited than at trial. Under Code of Civil Procedure § 2025.460, subdivision (b), if objections to the form of a question are not raised during the deposition, they are waived. These objections can include claims that a question is ambiguous, confusing, compound, calls for an undue narrative, is speculative, argumentative, or leading. An attorney can instruct their client not to answer an objectionable question, prompting the asking party to rephrase it.

Regarding 'Hull' or 'Hall,' it's unclear what these terms refer to. They may relate to a party in a case or a precedent for a specific action, but I couldn't find relevant case law. Please provide more details for further assistance.