Rule 11.Signing of Pleadings, Motions, and Other Papers; Sanctions.

Current through February 2024 · Last verified July 8, 2026

In one sentenceRule 11 requires anyone who signs a pleading, motion, or other court paper — whether an attorney or a self-represented litigant — to certify that it is grounded in fact and law and not filed to harass or delay, and it lets the court strike unsigned papers or sanction improper filings.

Full Text of Rule 11

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In accordance with Art. X, Rule 7 of the Rhode Island Supreme Court Rules Governing Electronic Filing, every pleading, written motion, and other paper of a party represented by an attorney shall be personally signed by at least one (1) attorney of record in the attorney's individual name and shall state the attorney's address, email address, bar number, and telephone number. An attorney, however, need not sign answers to interrogatories or objections to requests for admission which have been signed by a party. A self-represented litigant shall personally sign the pleading, motion, or other paper and state the self-represented litigant's address, email address (if electing to utilize the EFS), and telephone number.

Except when otherwise specifically provided by rule or statute, pleadings need not be verified or accompanied by an affidavit. The signature of an attorney, self-represented litigant, or party constitutes a certificate by the signer that the signer has read the pleading, motion, or other paper; that to the best of the signer's knowledge, information, and belief formed after reasonable inquiry the pleading, motion, or other paper is well grounded in fact and is warranted by existing law or a good faith argument for the extension, modification, or reversal of existing law, and that the pleading, motion, or other paper is not interposed for any improper purpose, such as to harass or to cause unnecessary delay or needless increase in the cost of litigation. If a pleading, motion, or other paper is not signed, unless signed promptly after the omission is called to the attention of the pleader or movant, or is signed with intent to defeat the purpose of this rule, the pleading, motion, or other paper shall be stricken. If a pleading, motion, or other paper is signed in violation of this rule, the court, upon motion or upon its own initiative, may impose upon the person who signed the pleading, motion, or other paper, a represented party, or both, any appropriate sanction, which may include an order to pay to the other party or parties the amount of the reasonable expenses incurred because of the filing of the pleading, motion, or other paper, including a reasonable attorney's fee.

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Amendment History

Rhode Island does not publish a per-rule amendment history inside the compiled rules text reproduced here. The text above is verified current through the source’s own February 2024 printing; for the underlying adopting orders and any later amendments, see the Rhode Island Judiciary’s compiled rules page.

Plain-English Summary

Rule 11 sets the ground rules for who signs court papers and what that signature means. An attorney representing a party must personally sign every pleading, motion, or other paper in their own name and list their address, email, bar number, and phone number, though an attorney doesn’t have to sign answers to interrogatories or objections to admission requests that the party has already signed. Someone representing themselves without a lawyer signs their own filings and provides their address, phone number, and — if they’re using the electronic filing system — an email address.

The signature is not just a formality. By signing, the person certifies they’ve read the paper, that after reasonable inquiry it’s grounded in fact and supported by existing law (or a good-faith argument to change the law), and that it wasn’t filed to harass anyone, cause delay, or run up litigation costs. Pleadings generally don’t need to be verified or backed by a separate affidavit unless another rule or statute says otherwise.

Failing to sign has consequences: an unsigned pleading, motion, or paper gets stricken unless it’s signed promptly once the omission is pointed out, or unless it was left unsigned specifically to dodge the rule. If a paper is signed in violation of the rule’s certification requirements, the court — on its own or on motion — can sanction the signer, the represented party, or both, including ordering payment of the other side’s reasonable expenses and attorney’s fees caused by the filing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to sign my own court filings if I don't have a lawyer?

Yes. Rule 11 requires a self-represented litigant to personally sign every pleading, motion, or other paper and to list an address, phone number, and, if filing electronically, an email address.

What happens if a pleading isn't signed?

The court strikes it, unless it’s signed promptly after someone points out the missing signature. If the paper was left unsigned to get around the rule’s certification requirement, that exception doesn’t help the filer.

Can I be sanctioned for something I file?

Yes. Signing a pleading, motion, or paper certifies that it’s grounded in fact, supported by law, and not filed to harass or delay. If that certification turns out to be false, the court can order the signer or the party to pay the other side’s reasonable expenses, including attorney’s fees.

Source & verification. The rule text is reproduced verbatim from the official Rhode Island Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure (R.I. Super. Ct. R. Civ. P. 11). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Rhode Island (R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-6-2). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 8, 2026. · Official source

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