(a) Form and Content of Documents. All documents filed in a civil case shall be on 8½" x 11"
paper and shall include the following:
(1) Captions. Any pleading or other document asserting a claim or counterclaim of any
type shall include the full caption showing the names of all parties. Documents filed
after a case is docketed shall also include the name, case number and initial(s) of the
judge to whom the case has been assigned.
(2) Titles. All documents shall bear a title that concisely states the precise nature of the
document and identifies the party filing it.
(3) Format; Page Numbering. Unless otherwise provided or ordered by the Court, all
documents shall be double-spaced and typed in at least 12-point font. Footnotes shall
be in at least 10-point font and may be single-spaced. Where a document is more
than one page in length, the pages shall be numbered at the bottom center of each
page.
(4) Jury Demand. Any pleading containing a demand for a jury trial shall set forth the
demand to the right of the caption, below the case number.
(5) Signing of Pleadings. All documents filed on behalf of a party shall be signed by
counsel representing the party on whose behalf the document is filed, or in the case of
parties proceeding pro se, by the party himself or herself. The name, address and
telephone number of the individual signing the document shall be typed or printed
below the signature. Documents filed by attorneys also shall bear the attorney’s bar
number, and the name, address, fax number and e-mail address of the attorney’s law
firm.
(b) Civil Cover Sheet. Any person filing a complaint in a civil case or any other document that
requires a file to be opened shall contemporaneously file a completed civil cover sheet
describing the type of case and identifying any related case previously filed or pending in this
Court. The Clerk may reclassify a case if the cover sheet does not accurately describe its
type. Cover sheets shall be provided by the Clerk upon request.
(1) Related Case. A party initiating a civil case shall identify any cases previously filed
or pending in this Court on the civil cover sheet that involve:
(A) some or all of the same parties; and
(B) the same or substantially similar issues of fact.
U.S. DISTRICT COURT RULES -- RULES APPLICABLE TO CIVIL PROCEEDINGS
(2) Ongoing Duty. After the assignment of a civil case pursuant to LR Gen 105, counsel
shall promptly notify the Court if they identify a related case as defined in LR Cv
5(b)(1) to avoid unnecessary duplication of judicial effort.
(c) Filing Fee. Any applicable filing fee prescribed by law shall be paid to the Clerk at the time
of filing. If payment is made by check, the check shall be made payable to "Clerk, United
States District Court."
(d) Discovery Documents. Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, disclosures made under Fed.
R. Civ. P. 26(a)(1)-(3), notices of deposition, deposition transcripts, interrogatories, requests
for production, requests for admission, and answers and responses thereto, shall not be filed
with the Court. The parties in possession of such documents shall be responsible for
preserving them and making them available for use at trial and/or for other purposes required
by the Court.
(e) Subpoenas. Subpoenas, including proofs of service, shall not be filed with the Court, unless
otherwise ordered by the Court or required by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The
parties in possession of such documents shall be responsible for preserving them and making
them available for use at trial and/or for other purposes required by the Court.
(f) Place for Filing Documents. The original and all copies of any document filed with the
Court that is part of the record in a case shall be filed with the Clerk. Such documents shall
not be filed in a judge’s chambers, unless otherwise required by these Rules or authorized by
that judge. The Clerk will retain and docket original documents and will forward copies to
the judicial officer to whom the case has been assigned.
Effective 4/1/24: §(b) amended. Effective 12/1/17: §(b) amended and comment removed. Effective 12/1/15: §(b)
amended and comment added. Effective 12/1/11: (b) amended. Effective 10/1/09: New §(e) added, and old §(e)
redesignated §(f). Effective 1/5/09: §(a)(3) amended. Effective 3/17/08: §§(a)(3) and (d) amended.
CROSS-REFERENCES
See LR Cv 5.1 (Proof of Service of Summons and Other Documents), LR Cv 5.2 (Notice by
Publication), LR Cv 7 (Motions and Other Papers) and LR Cv 56 (Motions for Summary Judgment).
See also LR Cr 57 (form and filing of documents and use of cover sheets in criminal cases); and
28 U.S.C.§1914(a) (governing filing fee for civil actions).
U.S. DISTRICT COURT RULES -- RULES APPLICABLE TO CIVIL PROCEEDINGS
