Rule 3.1110.General format

Division 11. Law and Motion · Chapter 2. Format of Motion Papers · Last amended 2017 · Last verified July 29, 2026

In one sentenceRule 3.1110 sets the physical and organizational format every motion paper must follow in California superior courts, covering the notice of motion’s opening statement, first-page hearing details, pagination, binding, exhibit indexing and tabbing, and translation of foreign-language exhibits.

Full Text of Rule 3.1110

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g)

(a) Notice of motion A notice of motion must state in the opening paragraph the nature of the order being sought and the grounds for issuance of the order. (Subd (a) amended effective January 1, 2007.)

(b) Date of hearing and other information The first page of each paper must specify immediately below the number of the case:

(1) The date, time, and location, if ascertainable, of any scheduled hearing and the name of the hearing judge, if ascertainable;

(2) The nature or title of any attached document other than an exhibit;

(3) The date of filing of the action; and

(4) The trial date, if set. (Subd (b) amended effective January 1, 2007; previously amended effective July 1, 1997.)

(c) Pagination of documents Documents must be consecutively paginated. The page numbering must begin with the first page and use only Arabic numerals (e.g., 1, 2, 3). The page number may be suppressed and need not appear on the first page. (Subd (c) amended effective January 1, 2017; adopted as part of subd (b); previously amended and lettered as subd (c) effective January 1, 2007.

(d) Reference to previously filed papers Any paper previously filed must be referred to by date of execution and title. (Subd (d) amended and relettered effective January 1, 2007; adopted as subd (c.)

(e) Binding For motions filed on paper, all pages of each document and exhibit must be attached together at the top by a method that permits pages to be easily turned and the entire content of each page to be read. (Subd (e) amended effective January 1, 2016; adopted as subd (d) effective July 1, 1997; previously amended and relettered subd (e) effective January 1, 2007.)

(f) Format of exhibits

(1) An index of exhibits must be provided. The index must briefly describe the exhibit and identify the exhibit number or letter and page number.

(2) Pages from a single deposition must be designated as a single exhibit.

(3) Each paper exhibit must be separated by a hard 8½ x 11 sheet with hard paper or plastic tabs extending below the bottom of the page, bearing the exhibit designation.

(4) Electronic exhibits must meet the requirements in rule 2.256(b). Unless they are submitted by a self-represented party, electronic exhibits must include electronic bookmarks with links to the first page of each exhibit and with bookmark titles that identify the exhibit number or letter and briefly describe the exhibit. (Subd (f) amended effective January 1, 2017; adopted as subd (e) effective July 1, 1997; previously amended and relettered as subd (f) effective January 1, 2007.)

(g) Translation of exhibits Exhibits written in a foreign language must be accompanied by an English translation, certified under oath by a qualified interpreter. (Subd (g) amended and lettered effective January 1, 2007; adopted as part of subd (e) effective July 1, 1997.)

End

Plain-English Summary

Rule 3.1110 is the housekeeping rule behind every motion filed in California civil courts. It starts with substance: the opening paragraph of a notice of motion has to state what order the party wants and why, so a judge or opposing counsel does not have to hunt through pages of argument to find out what is being asked for. From there the rule turns to layout — the first page of any paper must show the hearing date, time, and location if known, the assigned judge if known, the title of whatever is attached, the filing date of the action, and the trial date if one has been set.

The rest of the rule covers physical presentation. Pages must be numbered consecutively with Arabic numerals, and paper filings need to be bound so pages turn easily and read cleanly. Exhibits get their own set of requirements: an index describing each one, a single exhibit designation for pages pulled from one deposition, hard tabs separating paper exhibits, and — for electronic exhibits — bookmarks linking to the first page of each one with titles that identify what the exhibit is. Any exhibit written in a foreign language needs a certified English translation attached. Together, these format rules are what let a court clerk’s file, and a judge’s screen, hold together when dozens of similar motions come through every week.

Advisory Committee Comment

The following comment is published by the Judicial Council of California alongside the rule itself — not commentary from this site.

Subdivision (f)(4). Under current technology, software programs that allow users to apply electronic bookmarks to electronic documents are available for free.

Frequently Asked Questions

What has to appear on the first page of a motion besides the caption?

Rule 3.1110(b) requires the hearing date, time, and location if known, the hearing judge’s name if known, the title of any attached document other than an exhibit, the filing date of the action, and the trial date if one has been set.

Do electronic exhibits need bookmarks?

Yes, unless the filer is self-represented. Rule 3.1110(f)(4) requires electronic exhibits to include bookmarks linking to the first page of each exhibit, with titles that identify the exhibit number or letter and briefly describe what it is.

Does a foreign-language document need to be translated before I can attach it as an exhibit?

Yes. Rule 3.1110(g) requires a certified English translation from a qualified interpreter for any exhibit written in a language other than English.

Do page numbers have to appear on the first page of a motion?

No. Rule 3.1110(c) allows the page number to be suppressed on the first page, though numbering must still begin there and run consecutively using Arabic numerals.

Amendment History

Rule 3.1110 amended effective January 1, 2017; adopted as rule 311 effective January 1, 1984; previously amended effective July 1, 1997; previously amended and renumbered as rule 3.1110 effective January 1, 2007; previously amended effective July 1, 1997, and January 1, 2016.

Source & verification. Rule text is reproduced verbatim from the Judicial Council of California. Adopted by the Judicial Council of California. Last verified July 29, 2026. · Official source

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