Can any deposition be used by any party to contradict or impeach the testimony of the deponent?

The assertion that any deposition can be used by any party to contradict or impeach the testimony of the deponent is based on established legal principles regarding depositions. Depositions are sworn, out-of-court testimonies taken during the discovery phase of litigation. They serve as a tool for parties to gather information and preserve testimony for trial.

In the context of contradicting or impeaching testimony, the general rule is that a deposition can be introduced as evidence in court to challenge the credibility of a witness—i.e., to highlight inconsistencies or contradictions in what the witness has said at different times. This applies not only to the parties who participated in the deposition but also to other parties who may bring the deposition into the proceedings to question the reliability of the deponent's testimony.

This principle is important for ensuring that all relevant evidence can be considered in a legal context, promoting fairness and thorough consideration of a witness's credibility. Thus, the notion that any party can utilize the deposition serves the goal of truth-seeking in legal proceedings.

The other options suggest limitations on the use of depositions which do not align with the prevailing rules on how depositions function in court.