Rule 11.Signing Pleadings, Motions, and Other Papers; Representations to Court; Sanctions

Group III: Pleadings and Motions · Last amended 2017 · Last verified July 14, 2026

In one sentenceRule 11 requires a signed pleading, motion, or paper that certifies a reasonable inquiry was made and that the filing is not for an improper purpose, backed by a sanctions process with a 21-day window to withdraw or fix the problem before a motion for sanctions can be filed.

Full Text of Rule 11

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b) (c) (d)

(a) SIGNATURE. Every pleading, written motion, and other paper must be signed by at least one attorney of record in the attorney's name—or by a party personally if the party is unrepresented. The paper must state the signer's address, e-mail address, and telephone number. If the filing is submitted through the Court’s authorized eFiling program, Rule 5(d)(5)(B)(ii) and (iii) will govern the signing of any electronic filing. A name affixed by a rubber stamp will not be deemed a signature. Unless a rule or statute specifically states otherwise, a pleading need not be verified or accompanied by an affidavit. The court must strike an unsigned paper unless the omission is promptly corrected after being called to the attorney’s or party’s attention.

(b) REPRESENTATIONS TO THE COURT. By presenting to the court a pleading, written motion, or other paper, including an electronic filing—whether by signing, filing, submitting, or later advocating it—an attorney or unrepresented party certifies that to the best of the person's knowledge, information, and belief, formed after an inquiry reasonable under the circumstances:

(1) it is not being presented for any improper purpose, such as to harass, cause unnecessary delay, or needlessly increase the cost of litigation;

(2) the claims, defenses, and other legal contentions are warranted by existing law or by a nonfrivolous argument for extending, modifying, or reversing existing law or for establishing new law;

(3) the factual contentions have evidentiary support or, if specifically so identified, will likely have evidentiary support after a reasonable opportunity for further investigation or discovery; and

(4) the denials of factual contentions are warranted on the evidence or, if specifically so identified, are reasonably based on belief or a lack of information.

(1) In General. If, after notice and a reasonable opportunity to respond, the court determines that Rule 11(b) has been violated, the court may impose an appropriate sanction on any attorney, law firm, or party that violated the rule or is responsible for the violation. Absent exceptional circumstances, a law firm must be held jointly responsible for a violation committed by its partner, associate, or employee.

(2) Motion for Sanctions. A motion for sanctions must be made separately from any other motion and must describe the specific conduct that allegedly violates Rule 11(b). The motion must be served under Rule 5, but it must not be filed with or presented to the court if the challenged paper, claim, defense, contention, or denial is withdrawn or appropriately corrected within 21 days after service or within another time the court sets. If warranted, the court may award to the prevailing party the reasonable expenses, including attorney's fees, incurred for the motion.

(3) On the Court's Initiative. On its own, the court may order an attorney, law firm, or party to show cause why conduct specifically described in the order has not violated Rule 11(b).

(4) Nature of a Sanction. A sanction imposed under this rule must be limited to what suffices to deter repetition of the conduct or comparable conduct by others similarly situated. The sanction may include, nonmonetary directives, an order to pay a penalty into court; or, if imposed on motion and warranted for effective deterrence, an order directing payment to the movant of part or all of the reasonable attorney’s fees and other expenses directly resulting from the violation.

(5) Limitations on Monetary Sanctions. The court must not impose a monetary sanction:

(A) against a represented party for violating Rule 11(b)(2); or

(B) on its own, unless it issued the show–cause order under Rule 11(c)(3) before voluntary dismissal or settlement of the claims made by or against the party that is, or whose attorneys are, to be sanctioned.

(6) Requirements for an Order. An order imposing a sanction must describe the sanctioned conduct and explain the basis for the sanction.

(d) INAPPLICABILITY TO DISCOVERY. This rule does not apply to disclosures and discovery requests, responses, objections, and motions under Rules 26 through 37.

End

Comments

2017 Amendments:

Rule 11 has been amended consistent with the 2007 stylistic changes to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11. Two provisions that are unique to the Superior Court rule are retained, including language related to the court’s eFiling program and a provision explicitly prohibiting use of a rubber stamp.

Comment:

This rule is identical to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11. This Rule also makes clear that a signature affixed by a rubber stamp is not sufficient.

Plain-English Summary

Rule 11 sets the ground rules for signing anything filed in a DC Superior Court civil case. Every pleading, motion, or other paper needs the signature of at least one attorney of record, or of the party personally if no lawyer is involved, along with that signer's address, email, and phone number. A rubber-stamped name does not count as a signature — the rule says so explicitly. If a document goes unsigned, the court must strike it unless the mistake is fixed quickly once someone points it out.

Signing is not a formality; Rule 11(b) treats it as a certification. By presenting a pleading, motion, or other paper to the court — including through electronic filing — the signer represents that a reasonable inquiry was made and that the filing is not meant to harass or run up costs, that its legal arguments are grounded in existing law or a good-faith argument for changing it, and that its factual claims and denials have evidentiary support or a reasonable basis for further investigation.

Rule 11(c) gives that certification teeth. After notice and a chance to respond, a court that finds a violation can sanction the responsible attorney, firm, or party, and ordinarily holds a law firm jointly responsible for a lawyer it employs. A party moving for sanctions must file that motion separately, describe the specific misconduct, and serve — but not file — it first, giving the other side 21 days (or whatever period the court sets) to withdraw or correct the problem before the motion reaches the court. Any sanction the court imposes must go no further than what is needed to deter repetition, and a monetary sanction against a represented party for a weak legal argument, or one the court imposes on its own initiative without having warned the party before a voluntary dismissal or settlement, is off the table. Rule 11(d) makes clear that none of this reaches ordinary discovery practice, which Rules 26 through 37 govern instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does my signature on a pleading or motion certify?

Rule 11(b) says that signing, filing, or later advocating a pleading, motion, or other paper certifies that a reasonable inquiry was made and that the filing is not for an improper purpose like harassment or delay, that its legal arguments are warranted by existing law or a good-faith argument to change it, and that its factual assertions and denials have evidentiary support or a reasonable basis for further investigation.

Can the other side file a sanctions motion against me right away?

No. Rule 11(c)(2) requires a sanctions motion to be served on you first, without being filed with the court, and gives you 21 days — or whatever period the court sets — to withdraw or correct the challenged filing before the motion can be filed at all.

Can a rubber-stamped signature satisfy Rule 11?

No. Rule 11(a) states directly that a name affixed by a rubber stamp is not a signature, so a document signed that way risks being struck.

What happens if I file a pleading without signing it?

Rule 11(a) requires the court to strike an unsigned paper unless the omission is corrected promptly after it is brought to the attorney's or party's attention.

Does Rule 11 apply to discovery disputes?

No. Rule 11(d) states that the rule does not apply to disclosures, discovery requests, responses, objections, and motions governed by Rules 26 through 37.

Source & verification. Rule text and official Comments are reproduced verbatim from the District of Columbia Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure, adopted by the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Last verified July 14, 2026. · Official source

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