Rule 7A:7. Filing Format and Procedure

(a) Except as provided in subdivision (c) of this Rule and Rule 1:17 pertaining to Electronically Filed Cases,

(1) All pleadings, motions, briefs and all other documents filed in any clerk's office in any proceeding pursuant to the Rules or Statutes must be 8-1/2 by 11 inches in size. All typed material must be double spaced except for quotations.

(2) Subdivision (a)(1) of this Rule does not apply to tables, charts, plats, photographs, and other material that cannot be reasonably reproduced on paper of that size.

(b) No paper will be refused for failure to comply with the provisions of this Rule, but the clerk or judge may require that the paper be redone in compliance with this Rule and substituted for the paper initially filed. Counsel must certify that the substituted paper is identical in content to the paper initially filed.

(c) Electronic Filing . In any general district court which has established an electronic filing system pursuant to Rule 1:17:

(1) Any proceeding may be designated as an Electronically Filed Case upon consent of all parties in the case.

(2) Except where service and/or filing of an original paper document is expressly required by these rules, all pleadings, motions, notices and other instruments in an Electronically Filed Case must be formatted, served and filed as specified in the requirements and procedures of Rule 1:17; provided, however, that when any document listed below is filed in the case, the filing party must notify the clerk of court that the original document must be retained.

(i) Any pleading or affidavit required by statute or rule to be sworn, verified or certified as provided in Rule 1:17(e)(5).

(ii) Any contract or deed.

(iii) Any prenuptial agreement or written settlement agreement, including any property settlement agreement.

(iv) Any check or other negotiable instrument.

(v) Any handwritten statement, waiver, or consent by a defendant or witness in a criminal proceeding.

(vi) Any form signed by a defendant in a criminal proceeding, including any typed statements or a guilty plea form.

(vii) Any document that cannot be converted into an electronic document in such a way as to produce a clear and readable image.

Committee Notes

Last amended by Order dated March 1, 2011; effective May 2, 2011. Last amended by Order dated November 23, 2020; effective March 1, 2021.