District of Columbia Document Format Requirements

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Civil cases

Briefs and exhibits shall be indexed and tabbed for ease of reference. Pages should be double-sided and in either black and white or greyscale, unless color would aid the Court’s review (e.g., charts and photographs).

Summary: Briefs must be indexed, tabbed, double-sided, and in B&W/greyscale.

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Civil cases

Margins

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Motions and submissions should be double-spaced, in 12-point, Times New Roman font, with page numbers and margins of no less than 1 inch, and two spaces between sentences.

Summary: Motions must be double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman, with 1-inch margins and two spaces between sentences.

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Civil cases

Format

PDF

All electronically filed documents are to be in text-searchable Portable Data Format (“PDF”).

Summary: All electronically filed documents must be in text-searchable PDF format.

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Criminal cases

Margins

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Motions and submissions should be double-spaced, in 12-point, Times New Roman font, with page numbers and margins of no less than 1 inch, and two spaces between sentences.

Summary: Motions must be double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman, with page numbers, 1-inch margins, and two spaces between sentences.

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Required

Always ?

Format

PDF

The original and one copy of the petition and a PDF version on a CD-ROM shall be tendered to the Clerk. The original and copy of the petition and all related documents shall be submitted securely in an envelope/box appropriate to accommodate the documents. The envelope/box containing such documents shall have a conspicuous notation as follows: 'DOCUMENT UNDER SEAL.'

Summary: Petition must be filed as original plus one copy plus PDF on CD-ROM, in a secure envelope/box with 'DOCUMENT UNDER SEAL' notation.

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Format

PDF

Every document shall be typed (double spaced) using a standard 8 ½ by 11 inch word processing format (submitted electronically to the court in PDF format) and shall contain a heading under the caption describing the nature of the document. The case number on every document shall be followed by the initials of the judge to whom the case has been assigned. If the case has been referred to a magistrate judge, the magistrate judge’s initials shall also be shown. Any exhibit or attachment to documents shall reflect the number of the case in which it is filed. Any document submitted to the Court in paper format shall be submitted unfolded and produced on opaque 8 ½ by 11 inch white paper using a clear black image.

Summary: Documents must be double-spaced, 8.5x11, PDF format, with heading, case number with judge initials, and paper documents must be on white paper with clear black image.

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Civil cases

Format

PDF ?

All documents in this case are to be filed electronically, except with prior leave of the Court upon good cause shown, and in the case of the exceptions noted below.

Summary: All documents must be filed electronically unless Court grants leave for good cause.

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Civil cases

Format

PAPER

In a case involving a pro se party, electronic filing procedures will be followed by parties represented by counsel only. Absent separate order of the Court, the party appearing pro se shall continue to file documents in paper form with the Clerk’s Office. Parties represented by counsel must serve documents upon pro se parties in paper form.

Summary: Pro se parties file in paper form; represented parties file electronically and serve pro se parties in paper.

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Civil cases

Format

PDF

All electronically filed documents are to be in Portable Data Format (.pdf). In order to enable the Court’s efficient resolution of all matters in this case, all filings shall be submitted in text-searchable PDF files, directly converted from the word-processing format into PDF format so as to preserve searchability and readability. Exhibits that must be scanned because they exist only in paper format need not be directly converted from a word-processing program, but, if possible, should be submitted as text-searchable files using Optical Character Recognition (“OCR”) technology, available in Adobe Acrobat.

Summary: All filings must be text-searchable PDF files converted from word-processing format; scanned exhibits should use OCR when possible.

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Civil cases

Margins

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Format

DOCX ?

The Joint Pretrial Statement shall be double-spaced, in 12-point Times New Roman font, in Microsoft Word format, with margins of no less than one (1) inch.

Summary: Joint Pretrial Statement must be double-spaced, 12pt Times New Roman, Word format, 1-inch margins.

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Civil cases

Margins

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Format

DOCX ?

The Joint Pretrial Statement shall be double-spaced, in 12-point Times New Roman font, in Microsoft Word format, with margins of no less than one (1) inch.

Summary: Joint Pretrial Statement must be double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font, Microsoft Word format, with 1-inch margins.

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Civil cases

No exhibit will be admitted at trial unless it is listed on the Joint Pretrial Statement. Each listed exhibit will be presumed authentic and admissible at trial unless a written objection specifying the specific basis of the objection is made in the Joint Pretrial Statement. If there are objections to an exhibit listed in the Joint Pretrial Statement, the exhibit shall be produced at the time the Joint Pretrial Statement is submitted. Two copies of the challenged exhibits shall be submitted to the court in separate three ring

Summary: Exhibits must be listed in Joint Pretrial Statement to be admitted. Challenged exhibits require submission of two copies in separate three-ring binders at time of filing.

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Civil cases

the proposed instructions shall be formatted so that each individual instruction begins a new page

Summary: Jury instructions must be formatted with each instruction beginning on a new page.

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Civil cases

Required

Always ?

Format

PDF

Except as provided for in Local Civil Rule 5.4 1 or with prior leave of Court upon good cause shown, the parties shall file all documents electronically. All electronically filed documents shall be filed in text-searchable Portable Data Format (PDF).

Summary: All documents must be filed electronically in text-searchable PDF format

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Civil cases

Required

Always ?

However, parties who wait until the last minute to begin filing are warned that technical difficulties do not necessarily constitute 'good cause' or 'excusable neglect' justifying an extension of an applicable deadline. Fed. R. Civ. P. 6(b). Further, no allowance can be made for late filing documents whose time limits are jurisdictional.

Summary: No extensions for jurisdictional deadlines, even with technical difficulties

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Civil cases

Required

Always ?

Format

PDF

All electronically filed documents shall be filed in text-searchable Portable Data Format (PDF). Exhibits that must be scanned because they exist only in paper format should, if possible, be submitted as text-searchable files using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology, available in Adobe Acrobat.

Summary: All electronic filings must be text-searchable PDF; scanned exhibits should use OCR when possible.

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Civil cases

Courtesy copies should include the headers added by the Case Management/ Electronic Case Files (CM/ECF) System and be submitted in binders, three-hole punched, printed double-sided. Briefs and exhibits shall be tabbed and indexed for ease of reference.

Summary: Courtesy copies must include ECF headers, be three-hole punched, double-sided, and tabbed

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Civil cases

Required

Always ?

Format

PDF

All documents in this case are to be filed electronically, except with prior leave of the Court upon good cause shown, and in the case of the exceptions noted below. All electronically filed documents are to be in Portable Data Format (.pdf). In order to enable the Court's efficient resolution of all matters in this case, all filings shall be submitted in text searchable PDF files, directly converted from the word-processing format into PDF so as to preserve their searchability and readability. (The Court recognizes an exception for exhibits that must be scanned because they exist only in paper format.).

Summary: All documents must be filed electronically in searchable PDF format, with exceptions for sealed cases and pro se parties.

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Civil cases

Required

Always ?

Margins

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All submissions to the Court shall be double spaced, and use 12-point Times New Roman font and one inch page margins.

Summary: All court submissions must be double-spaced, use 12-point Times New Roman, and have one-inch margins.

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Civil cases

Every memorandum of points and authorities that is ten pages or longer must contain a table of contents and table of authorities, regardless of

Summary: Memoranda of points and authorities at or above ten pages must include both a table of contents and a table of authorities.

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Civil cases

This document shall be formatted as a two-column table.

Summary: The Statement of Material Facts Not in Dispute must be in a two-column table format.

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Civil cases

The statement must contain only one undisputed factual assertion per numbered row.

Summary: Each numbered row in the statement may contain only one undisputed factual assertion.

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Civil cases

Following the filing of this document with the Court, the moving party shall promptly provide an electronic copy in editable format to the opposing party.

Summary: After filing, the moving party must promptly provide the opposing party an editable electronic copy of the statement.

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Civil cases

If the opposing party has additional facts that are not directly relevant to its response to a specific paragraph, it must identify such facts in consecutively numbered rows in the right hand column at the end of its responsive statement of facts.

Summary: Additional facts must be placed at the end of the responsive statement in consecutively numbered right-column rows.

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Civil cases

Following the filing of this document with the Court, the opposing party shall promptly provide an electronic copy in editable format to the moving party.

Summary: After filing, the opposing party must promptly provide the moving party an editable electronic copy of the counter-statement.

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Criminal cases

Required

Always ?

Counsel are not required to question witnesses from the lectern. When counsel do not question witnesses from the lectern, they must use a handheld or lapel microphone. Neither the handheld nor lapel microphone shall ever be removed from the

Summary: When not using lectern, counsel must use handheld/lapel mic and keep it in place.

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Criminal cases

Required

Always ?

During the interrogation of witnesses, counsel shall refer to all witnesses under interrogation, including their clients, as “Mr.,” “Sir,” “Ms.,” “Mrs.,” or “Ma’am.” The use of first names or nicknames is prohibited.

Summary: Counsel must use formal titles for all witnesses, including clients; first names/nicknames prohibited.

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Criminal cases

Format

DOCX ?

Proposed voir dire questions must be submitted to the Court at least seven (7) days before the scheduled trial date electronically in Microsoft Word. The parties must send a copy of the proposed voir dire questions by e-mail to the Court.

Summary: Voir dire questions must be submitted electronically in Microsoft Word format by email at least 7 days before trial.

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Civil cases

Required

Always ?

Filings shall include a page number on the bottom of each page.

Summary: Page numbers required on bottom of each page.

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Criminal cases

Format

PDF

Each attachment to a filing (e.g., supporting memorandum, each exhibit, each affidavit, and proposed order) must be filed as a separate PDF and appropriately labeled in ECF. If the attachment has its own pagination, it should be a separate attachment.

Summary: Each attachment must be filed as a separate PDF, labeled in ECF; attachments with own pagination should be separate.

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Criminal cases

Format

PDF

All electronically filed documents are to be in text-searchable Portable Data Format ("PDF"). Likewise, exhibits that must be scanned because they exist only in paper format should, if possible, be submitted as text-searchable files using Optical Character Recognition ("OCR") technology, available in Adobe Acrobat.

Summary: Electronically filed documents must be text-searchable PDF; scanned exhibits should use OCR if possible.

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Criminal cases

Format

DOCX ?

The parties shall also submit an electronic copy of the Joint Pretrial Statement in Microsoft Word format, including attachments and exhibits thereto, by email to Reyes_Chambers@dcd.uscourts.gov.

Summary: Joint Pretrial Statement must be submitted electronically in Microsoft Word format via email to chambers.

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Required

Always ?

Format

PDF

Every document shall be typed (double spaced) using a standard 8 ½ by 11-inch word processing format (submitted electronically to the Court in PDF format) and shall contain a heading under the caption describing the nature of the document. The case number on every document shall be followed by the initials of the judge to whom the case has been assigned. If the case has been referred to a magistrate judge, the magistrate judge’s initials shall also be shown. Any exhibit or attachment to documents shall reflect the number of the case in which it is filed. Any document submitted to the Court in paper format shall be submitted unfolded and produced on opaque 8 ½ by 11-inch white paper using a clear black image.

Summary: Documents must be typed double-spaced, 8.5x11, PDF, with heading and case number with judge initials; paper submissions must be unfolded on opaque white paper.

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All pleadings shall appear in 12-pt. font and shall be double-spaced. Footnotes, which shall not be excessive, shall also appear in 12-pt. font.

Summary: Pleadings must be in 12-point font, double-spaced; footnotes also 12-point and not excessive.

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Upon the convening of a Three-Judge Court, each party shall submit to the Clerk two additional copies of all pleadings and papers previously filed by the party, and all subsequent filings shall be in quadruplicate.

Summary: After a Three-Judge Court is convened, parties must submit two additional copies of all previously filed pleadings and file subsequent documents in quadruplicate.

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copies of the listed relevant documents (other than documents that were filed under seal), appended to the list in chronological sequence, with each document to bear the Electronic Case Filing header showing the document number and date of filing in the Bankruptcy Court.

Summary: Appended copies of relevant documents must bear ECF header showing document number and date of filing.

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each document to bear the Electronic Case Filing header showing the document number and date of filing in the Bankruptcy Court

Summary: Attached documents must bear ECF header with document number and date of filing.

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Civil cases

Required

Always ?

All electronically filed documents and exhibits shall be clearly titled, and exhibits shall be filed as separate documents.

Summary: All electronic filings must be clearly titled; exhibits filed separately

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Civil cases

Required

Always ?

The Court may take into consideration technical difficulties experienced by a filer when presented a late filing. However, parties who wait until the last minute to begin filing are warned that technical difficulties do not necessarily constitute 'good cause' or 'excusable neglect' justifying an extension of an applicable deadline.

Summary: Technical difficulties may excuse late filing, but last-minute filers get no leniency

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Civil cases

Required

Always ?

Format

PDF

All electronically filed documents are to be in Portable Data Format (.pdf). In order to enable the Court’s efficient resolution of all matters in this case, all filings shall be submitted in text searchable PDF files, directly converted from the word-processing format into PDF so as to preserve their searchability and readability. (The Court recognizes an exception for exhibits that must be scanned because they exist only in paper format.).

Summary: Electronically filed documents must be in text-searchable PDF format, directly converted from word-processing format.

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Civil cases

Margins

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Memoranda of points and authorities filed in support of or in opposition to any motion may not, without leave of the Court, exceed forty-five (45) pages, and reply memoranda may not exceed twenty-five (25) pages, with margins set at one inch and with all text double-spaced (excepting footnotes) and in twelve-point Times New Roman (including footnotes).

Summary: Memoranda must have 1-inch margins, double-spaced text (except footnotes), and 12-point Times New Roman font.

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Civil cases

Required

Always ?

The parties are highly discouraged from using uncommon acronyms. If uncommon acronyms cannot be avoided, then they shall be defined upon first usage of the acronyms.

Summary: Uncommon acronyms discouraged; must define on first use if used.

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Criminal cases

using a standardized format for case captions that contained no personally identifying information but, depending on the type of application, included pertinent information about: “(1) the number of target telephone lines, subscriber accounts, and/or devices that are the application’s subject or subjects; (2) the type of target or targets (e.g., a landline, cellular, or mobile telephone; email account; cell tower; or other facility or device) subject to the application; (3) the service provider to which the order would be directed; and (4) the primary offense statute(s) under investigation.”

Summary: Sealed criminal investigative application captions must follow a standardized format with no PII, including number and type of targets, service provider, and primary offense statutes.

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Civil cases

The Court prefers A5 coil-bound courtesy copies; however, the Court will also accept three-ring binders (no larger than two-inch). See Exhibit A for sample images. Before providing any courtesy copy that would exceed three coil-bound copies or three two-inch binders, counsel shall contact Chambers for instruction.

Summary: Preferred A5 coil-bound; accept 3-ring binders up to 2-inch.

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Civil cases

exhibits that must be scanned because they exist only in paper format should, if possible, be submitted as text-searchable files using Optical Character Recognition (“OCR”) technology, available in Adobe Acrobat.

Summary: Paper exhibits should be submitted as text-searchable files using OCR technology when possible.

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Criminal cases

Joint proposed jury instructions, which are formatted so that each instruction begins on a new page

Summary: Each proposed jury instruction must begin on a new page.

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Format

PDF ?

An opinion, memorandum, order, judgment, default, or other notice issued electronically by the Court or by the Clerk bears an electronic "signature" and does not require a handwritten signature to be official and binding. Also, an order or notice (such as a minute entry or scheduling notice) entered on the docket without an attached document is official and binding.

Summary: Electronically issued court documents bear an electronic signature and do not require handwritten signature; docket entries without attached documents are official.

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Required

Always ?

If a table of cases is provided, counsel shall place asterisks in the margin to the left of those cases or authorities on which counsel chiefly relies.

Summary: If a table of cases is included, mark chief authorities with asterisks in the left margin.

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Civil cases

Exhibits that must be scanned because they exist only in paper format should, if possible, be submitted as text-searchable files using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology, available in Adobe Acrobat.

Summary: Paper exhibits should be OCR-processed for text-searchability

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Civil cases

(ii) In a case involving a pro se party, electronic filing procedures will be followed by parties represented by counsel only. The party appearing

Summary: Pro se parties are exempt from electronic filing requirements.

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Civil cases

Required

Always ?

The parties are strongly encouraged to reference the parties as “the plaintiffs” and “the defendants,” respectively.

Summary: Strongly encouraged to use “the plaintiffs” and “the defendants”.