What are the margins for Mississippi court filings?

Mississippi Rule of Civil Procedure 10 fixes the paper size at 8 1/2 by 11 inches and the caption contents, but it does not state a statewide margin width or type size. Those specifications are set by the rules of the specific court where the document is filed.

Does Mississippi require numbered-line pleading paper?

No. Mississippi does not use numbered-line pleading paper. Mississippi Rule of Civil Procedure 10 requires 8 1/2 by 11 inch paper and a caption with the court name, title of the action, file number, and a Rule 7(a) designation, but it does not require consecutively numbered lines down the left margin.

Mississippi Pleading Paper Template

Q: What paper size do Mississippi court filings require?

Under Mississippi Rule of Civil Procedure 10, all pleadings and other papers filed in any proceeding governed by the rules must be on paper measuring 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches. The rule fixes the paper size statewide but does not separately state a margin width or type size.

Q: What must a Mississippi caption contain?

Under Mississippi Rule of Civil Procedure 10, every pleading must contain a caption setting forth the name of the court, the title of the action, the file number, and a designation as in Rule 7(a). The complaint's title names the parties; later pleadings may name the first party on each side.

Introduction

Mississippi's statewide form rule is concise and explicit on one point: under Mississippi Rule of Civil Procedure 10, all pleadings and other papers filed in any proceeding governed by the rules must be on paper measuring 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches. Mississippi does not use numbered-line pleading paper. The same rule fixes the caption: every pleading must contain a caption setting forth the name of the court, the title of the action, the file number, and a designation as in Rule 7(a). What Rule 10 does not do is fix a statewide margin width, type size, or line spacing for civil filings. Those physical specifications are set by the rules of the specific court where you file, so a number that controls in one court should not be assumed to control everywhere. A filing on the wrong paper size, or one whose caption omits the file number or the Rule 7(a) designation, can be rejected or returned by the clerk. This page sets out what MRCP 10 fixes statewide, the 8 1/2 by 11 inch paper and the caption, and is honest that the rest of the physical format comes from local court rules rather than from Rule 10. DocDraft drafts your document on properly formatted Mississippi court format from your facts, with attorney review available before you file.

Key Things to Know

Mississippi does not use numbered-line pleading paper. The statewide form rule is Mississippi Rule of Civil Procedure 10.

All pleadings and other papers filed in any proceeding governed by the rules must be on paper measuring 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches (MRCP 10).

Every pleading must contain a caption setting forth the name of the court, the title of the action, the file number, and a designation as in Rule 7(a) (MRCP 10).

MRCP 10 does not fix a statewide margin width, type size, or line spacing. Those specifications are set by the rules of the specific court where you file.

Electronic filing is available through the Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) system, which has been rolling out across courts; confirm whether e-filing is required in your specific court.

Because the rule states the paper size and caption but not the margins or font, confirm the local court's own format requirements before you file.

Customize your Pleading Paper Template with DocDraft

IN THE [CIRCUIT / CHANCERY / COUNTY] COURT OF [COUNTY] COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI

[PLAINTIFF NAME], Plaintiff,

v. CIVIL ACTION FILE NO. [NUMBER]

[DEFENDANT NAME], Defendant.

[TITLE OF DOCUMENT]

[Caption per MRCP 10: name of the court, the title of the action, the file number, and a designation as in Rule 7(a).]

[Body formatted per MRCP 10: on paper measuring 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches. Margin width, type size, and line spacing are set by the rules of the specific court where this document is filed, not by Rule 10.]

Respectfully submitted,

[SIGNATURE] [NAME / MS BAR NUMBER if attorney] [ADDRESS] [TELEPHONE] [EMAIL]

Dated: [DATE]

Mississippi Requirements for Pleading Paper

Paper size

All pleadings and other papers filed in any proceeding governed by the rules must be on paper measuring 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches (MRCP 10).

Caption contents

Every pleading must contain a caption setting forth the name of the court, the title of the action, the file number, and a designation as in Rule 7(a) (MRCP 10).

Margins and font are local

MRCP 10 does not fix a statewide margin width, type size, or line spacing. Those specifications are set by the rules of the specific court where you file, so confirm that court's rules.

Electronic filing

Electronic filing is available through the Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) system, which has been rolling out across courts. Confirm whether e-filing is required in your specific court.