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Maryland Pleading Paper Template

Maryland Rule 1-301 sets the form of court papers: every filing must be 8.5 inches wide by 11 inches long, with a top margin and left-hand margin of not less than 1.5 inches, without a back or cover, on paper of permanent quality with legible writing.

Introduction

Maryland does not use numbered-line pleading paper. The form of court papers is set by Maryland Rule 1-301, which requires that any paper filed be 8.5 inches wide and 11 inches in length, with a top margin and a left-hand margin of not less than 1.5 inches, and without a back or cover. The paper and the writing on it must be of permanent quality, and the writing must be legible. The rule sets the top and left margins specifically; it does not state a separate right or bottom dimension. Rule 1-301 also governs the caption: every pleading and paper must contain a caption setting forth the parties (or, where appropriate, the matter), the name of the court, the assigned docket reference, and a brief descriptive title of the pleading or paper indicating its nature. Electronic filing is governed by Maryland Rules Title 20, and once MDEC is implemented in a county an attorney who enters an appearance must file electronically. A filing on the wrong paper size, with an undersized top or left margin, or with a back or cover can be rejected. This page covers the Rule 1-301 paper, margins, and caption requirements, plus a caption skeleton you can model. DocDraft drafts your document on properly formatted Maryland court format from your facts, with attorney review available before you file.

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Key Things to Know

  1. 1

    Under Maryland Rule 1-301, any paper filed must be 8.5 inches wide and 11 inches in length and without a back or cover.

  2. 2

    Rule 1-301 requires a top margin and a left-hand margin of not less than 1.5 inches; it does not separately state a right or bottom dimension.

  3. 3

    The paper and the writing on it must be of permanent quality, and the writing must be legible, per Rule 1-301.

  4. 4

    Under Rule 1-301, every pleading and paper must contain a caption setting forth the parties or the matter, the name of the court, the assigned docket reference, and a brief descriptive title indicating its nature.

  5. 5

    An original pleading must contain the names and addresses, including zip codes, of all parties if known, under Maryland Rule 1-301.

  6. 6

    Electronic filing is governed by Maryland Rules Title 20; once MDEC is implemented in a county, an attorney who enters an appearance in an affected action must file electronically.

  7. 7

    Maryland does not use consecutive left-margin line numbers; the line-numbered pleading paper used in some states is not required here.

Key decisions before you file

Before you file a Pleading Paper in Maryland, a few decisions shape the document: which option to choose and what each one means. The Pleading Paper guide walks through them.

Open the Pleading Paper guide

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IN THE [CIRCUIT COURT FOR [COUNTY] / DISTRICT COURT OF MARYLAND FOR [COUNTY]]

[PLAINTIFF NAME], [ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP] Plaintiff,

v. Case No. [DOCKET REFERENCE]

[DEFENDANT NAME], [ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP] Defendant.

[BRIEF DESCRIPTIVE TITLE OF PLEADING OR PAPER, e.g. COMPLAINT / ANSWER]

[Body formatted per Md. Rule 1-301: 8.5 inches wide by 11 inches long; top margin and left-hand margin of not less than 1.5 inches; without a back or cover; paper and writing of permanent quality and legible. An original pleading must include the names and addresses, with zip codes, of all parties if known.]

Respectfully submitted,

[FILER / ATTORNEY NAME] [ADDRESS] [TELEPHONE] [E-MAIL]

Maryland Requirements for Pleading Paper

Paper size

File on paper 8.5 inches wide and 11 inches in length, without a back or cover, per Md. Rule 1-301.

Paper and writing quality

Use paper of permanent quality with legible writing, as required by Md. Rule 1-301.

Top and left margins

Set a top margin and a left-hand margin of not less than 1.5 inches, per Md. Rule 1-301; the rule does not separately state a right or bottom dimension.

Caption contents

Include a caption setting forth the parties or the matter, the name of the court, the assigned docket reference, and a brief descriptive title indicating the nature of the pleading or paper, per Md. Rule 1-301.

Party names and addresses

In an original pleading, include the names and addresses, with zip codes, of all parties if known, under Md. Rule 1-301.

Electronic filing

Follow Maryland Rules Title 20 for MDEC electronic filing; once MDEC is implemented in a county, an attorney who enters an appearance in an affected action must file electronically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Under Maryland Rule 1-301, a filed paper must have a top margin and a left-hand margin of not less than 1.5 inches. The rule sets the top and left margins specifically and does not state a separate right or bottom dimension.

Maryland Rule 1-301 requires any paper filed to be 8.5 inches wide and 11 inches in length, without a back or cover. The paper and the writing on it must be of permanent quality, and the writing must be legible.

Under Maryland Rule 1-301, the caption must set forth the parties or, where appropriate, the matter, the name of the court, the assigned docket reference, and a brief descriptive title of the pleading or paper that indicates its nature.

Electronic filing is governed by Maryland Rules Title 20. Once MDEC is implemented in a county, an attorney who enters an appearance in an affected action must file electronically. The rollout has progressed county-by-county across Maryland.