RI · rules
R.I. Super. Ct. R. Civ. P. 11
Signing of Pleadings, Motions, and Other Papers; Sanctions
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.
Provenance
- Source
- courts.ri.gov
- Retrieved
- 2026-09-24
- Edition
- 2026-09-24
- Content hash
a3fff17f7d3ff1b576646e006cbde0cb2de939adcb3e44456249457579c2fba6
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