A person who resides in this state and expects to be a party to an action in a court hereof; or who, being a nonresident of this state, has an interest in real property herein, concerning which he expects to be a party to an action in a court hereof; and who desires to perpetuate the testimony of witnesses, may file in the circuit court of the county of the residence of any expected adverse party, or in which the real property is situated, a verified petition, entitled in the name of the petitioner, showing: (a) that the petitioner expects to be a party to an action cognizable in a court of this state but is presently unable to bring it or cause it to be brought; (b) the subject matter of the expected action and his interest therein; (c) the facts which he desires to establish by the proposed testimony and his reasons for desiring to perpetuate it; (d) the names or a description of the persons he expects will be adverse parties and their addresses so far as known; and (e) the names and addresses of the persons to be examined and the substance of the testimony which he expects to elicit from each, and shall ask for an order authorizing the petitioner to take the depositions of the persons to be examined named in the petition, for the purpose of perpetuating their testimony.

The petitioner shall thereafter serve a notice upon each person named in the petition as an expected adverse party, together with a copy of the petition, stating that the petitioner will apply to the court, at a time and place named therein, for an order described in the petition. At least 20 days before the date of hearing the notice shall be served either within or without the county in the manner provided in Rule 4 for service of summons; but if such service cannot be made upon any expected adverse party named in the petition, the procedure provided in Rule 4 for constructive service shall apply. If any expected adverse party is a person under disability the provisions of Rule 17 shall apply.

If the court is satisfied that the perpetuation of the testimony may prevent a failure or delay of justice, it shall make an order designating or describing the persons whose depositions may be taken and specifying the subject matter of the examination and whether the depositions shall be taken upon oral examination or written interrogatories. The depositions may then be taken in accordance with these rules; and the court may make orders of the character provided for by Rules 34 and 37. For perpetuating testimony, each reference therein to the court in which the action is pending shall be deemed to refer to the court in which the petition for such deposition was filed.

If a deposition to perpetuate testimony is taken under these rules or if, although not so taken, it would be admissible in evidence in the courts of the state in which it is taken, or in any United States court sitting in this state, it may be used in any action involving the same subject matter subsequently brought in a court of this state in accordance with the provisions of Rule 32.01.