Rule 1-301 - [Effective 1/1/2025] Form of Court Papers(a) Caption and Titling. Every pleading and paper filed shall contain a caption setting forth (1) the parties or, where appropriate, the matter, (2) the name of the court, (3) the assigned docket reference, and (4) a brief descriptive title of the pleading or paper which indicates its nature. An original pleading shall contain the names and addresses, including zip code, of all parties to the action if the names and addresses are known to the person filing the pleading. If the address of a party is unknown, the pleading shall so state. In other pleadings and papers, it is sufficient to state the name of the first party on each side with an appropriate indication of other parties.(b) Designation of Parties and Attorneys.(1)Parties--Original Claim. Regardless of the nature of the action, the party bringing an action shall be called the plaintiff and the party against whom the action is brought shall be called the defendant except in a criminal action the party bringing the action shall be called the State.(2)Parties--Subsequent Claims. The parties to a claim asserted after the plaintiff's original claim shall be called cross-plaintiff and cross-defendant as to a cross-claim; counter-plaintiff and counter-defendant as to a counterclaim; and third-party plaintiff and third-party defendant as to a third-party claim.(3)Appeals to a Circuit Court. In appeals to a circuit court the parties shall retain their original designations.(4)Attorney. Regardless of the nature of the action, the member of a bar who appears for a party shall be called attorney.(c) Size of Papers--Backers Prohibited. Except as otherwise provided, any paper filed shall be 8 1/2 inches wide and 11 inches in length, shall have a margin of not less than one inch at the top and bottom and on each side, and shall be without a back or cover.(d) Legibility and Durability. A paper and the writing on it shall be of permanent quality and the writing shall be legible.(e) Existing Documents. Sections (a), (c), and (d) do not apply to any document already in existence which is filed as an exhibit to a pleading or paper. However, they do apply to any document prepared as an exhibit.(f) Verification and Corporate Seal Unnecessary. Except when otherwise expressly provided by rule or statute, a pleading or paper need not be under affidavit, and, in the case of a pleading or paper filed by a corporation, need not be under the corporate seal. This Rule is derived as follows:
Section (a) is derived from former Rule 301 e and h, the 1937 version of Fed. R. Civ. P. 10(a), and the 1963 version of Fed. R. Civ. P. 7(b)(2).
Section (b) is new.
Section (c) is new.
Section (d) is new.
Section (e) is new.
Section (f) is derived from former Rules 303 a and 301 k.
Adopted April 6, 1984, eff. 7/1/1984. Amended Nov. 12, 2003, eff. 1/1/2004; amended Nov. 13, 2024, eff. 1/1/2025.HISTORICAL NOTES
2003 Orders
The November 12, 2003, order amended the source note.