Under what condition can a deponent refuse to answer a question during a deposition?

A deponent can refuse to answer a question during a deposition if the question relates to a privileged communication. Privilege in legal contexts is designed to protect certain communications from disclosure in legal proceedings. This includes communications made in the context of attorney-client relationships, spousal communications, doctor-patient interactions, and other recognized privileges. When a question seeks information that falls under these protected communications, the deponent is entitled to refuse to provide an answer to maintain the confidentiality that these privileges ensure.

In contrast, while irrelevant questions may be objectionable, they do not generally provide a basis for outright refusal to answer. Similarly, if a question is considered confusing or asks for an opinion, these factors may give rise to challenges or objections by the attorney present, but they do not legally entitle a deponent to refuse an answer outright. The scope of a deposition allows for some measure of latitude, and deponents are expected to respond unless they have a legally valid reason, such as privilege, to decline.