FORM OF PLEADINGS

(a) Caption; names of parties. Every pleading shall contain a caption setting forth the name of the court, the title of the action, the file number, the nature of the suit, and a designation as in Rule 7(a). In the complaint the title of the action shall include the names of all the parties, but in other pleadings it is sufficient to state the name of the first party on each side with an appropriate indication of other parties. COMMENTS: Changed to account for the nature of the suit to assist the clerks in sorting documents. (b) Paragraphs; separate statements. All averments of claim, or if a more specific answer is filed, the defenses shall be made in numbered paragraphs, the contents of each of which shall be limited as far as practicable to a statement of a single set of circumstances; and a paragraph may be referred to by number in all succeeding pleadings. Each claim founded upon a separate transaction or occurrence and each defense other than denials shall be stated in a separate count or defense whenever a separation facilitates the clear presentation of the matters set forth. COMMENTS: Changed to allow for written answers. (c) Adoption by reference; exhibits. Statements in a pleading may be adopted by reference in a different part of the same pleading or in another pleading or in any motion. A copy of any written instrument which is an exhibit to a pleading is a part thereof for all purposes. COMMENTS: Not changed. Rule 11. SIGNING OF PLEADINGS, MOTIONS, AND OTHER PAPERS; SANCTIONS. Every pleading, motion, and other paper of a party represented by an attorney shall be signed by at least one attorney of record in that attorney's individual name, whose address shall be stated. Any document prepared by an attorney for an unrepresented party shall comply with Rule 11.1(c) of these Rules. A party who is not represented by an attorney shall sign the party's pleading, motion, or other paper and state the party's address. Except when otherwise specifically provided by rule or statute, pleadings need not be verified or accompanied by affidavit. The rule in equity that the averments of an answer under oath must be overcome by the testimony of two witnesses or of one witness sustained by corroborating circumstances is abolished. The signature of an attorney or party constitutes a certificate by the signatory that the signatory has read the pleading, motion, or other paper; that to the best of the signatory's knowledge, information, and belief formed after reasonable inquiry it is well grounded in fact and 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, it shall be stricken unless it is signed promptly after the omission is called to the attention of the pleader or movant. If a pleading, motion, or other paper is signed in violation of this rule, the court, upon motion or upon its own initiative, shall impose upon the person who signed it, a represented party, or both, an 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. COMMENTS: Adopts HRCP Rule 11 verbatim except changed to gender neutral language. Currently, DCRCP provide the District Courts with little power to sanction attorneys who are negligent or worse in the filing of documents and no power to sanction pro se parties who are negligent or worse in the filing of documents. Adoption of Rule 11 will give the District Courts more flexibility in dealing with errant activity by litigants. (Amended September 17, 2019, effective September 17, 2019.)