Western District of Washington Document Format Requirements

CRITICAL

Format

PDF

Each exhibit must be submitted as a single PDF document.

Each exhibit must be a single PDF document

CRITICALCivil cases

Format

PDF

2 sets of thumb drives for each party must be submitted to the Courtroom Deputy the morning of trial. Exhibits must be in PDF format and should be scanned using Optical Character Recognition if possible and encoded as a searchable PDF. The exhibits should be named the same (see above) as paper exhibits (Plaintiff = 001-499, Defendant = 500-forward).

2 sets of thumb drives for each party must be submitted to the Courtroom Deputy the morning of trial. Exhibits must be in PDF format and should be scanned using Optical Character Recognition if possible and encoded as a searchable PDF. The exhibits should be named the same (see above) as paper exhibits (Plaintiff = 001-499, Defendant = 500-forward).

CRITICAL

Format

PDF

Exhibits must be provided on a CD or thumb drive, with a thumb drive preferred, in PDF format.

Exhibits must be on a CD or thumb-drive (preferred) in PDF format

CRITICAL

Audio and video exhibits must be playable in Windows Media Player.

Exhibits that contain audio or video must be playable in Windows Media Player

CRITICALCivil cases

Plaintiff's exhibits must be consecutively numbered from 001 to 499.

Plaintiff’s exhibits shall consecutively be marked beginning with number 001-499.

CRITICALCivil cases

Duplicate documents are prohibited from being listed more than once on the exhibit list.

Duplicate documents shall not be listed twice on the exhibit list.

CRITICALCivil cases

Defendant's exhibits must be consecutively numbered starting at 500.

Defendant’s exhibits shall consecutively be marked beginning with number 500-forward.

CRITICALCivil cases

Format

DOCX

A joint exhibit list in Microsoft Word format (auto numbering off) must be emailed to the Courtroom Deputy before trial, following the paper exhibit numbering system.

A joint exhibit list in Microsoft Word format (auto numbering turned o ) must be emailed to the Courtroom Deputy prior to the trial date and follow the same numbering system as the paper exhibits. This exhibit list can be found here: Judge Benjamin H. Settle Chambers Procedures | Western District of Washington | United States District Court

CRITICAL

Format

PDF

Each exhibit must be submitted as its own single PDF file.

Each exhibit must be a single PDF document

CRITICAL

Any exhibit with audio or video must be compatible with Windows Media Player.

Exhibits that contain audio or video must be playable in Windows Media Player

CRITICAL

Format

DOCX

An exhibit list must be prepared in Microsoft Word format and sent before trial.

An exhibit list in Microsoft Word format must be emailed to the Court prior to the trial date.

CRITICAL

Format

PDF

Exhibits must be delivered on CD or preferably thumb-drive and be in PDF format.

Exhibits must be on a CD or thumb-drive (preferred) in PDF format

CRITICAL

Trial exhibits must be pre-marked with consecutive numbering (Plaintiff: 1+, Defendant: A-1+)

All trial exhibits must be pre-marked by counsel. Plaintiff’s exhibits shall be numbered consecutively beginning with number 1. Defendants exhibits shall be numbered consecutively beginning with the number A-1.

CRITICAL

Exhibits must be submitted in three-ring binder with numbered tabs

Each set of exhibits shall be submitted in a three-ring binder with appropriately numbered tabs.

CRITICAL

Format

PDF

Exhibits must be submitted on a CD in PDF format.

Exhibits must be on a CD in PDF format

CRITICAL

Format

PDF

Each exhibit must be a separate, single PDF document.

Each exhibit must be a single PDF Document

CRITICAL

Audio and video exhibits must be playable in Windows Media Player.

Exhibits that contain audio or video must be playable in Windows Media Player

CRITICAL

All pleadings must be in 12-point Times New Roman font.

In general, follow the guidelines in Local Rule 10(e) except all pleadings must be in 12-point Times New Roman font.

CRITICALCivil cases

Format

PDF

Electronically filed motions, oppositions, and replies must be searchable PDFs, converted to PDF before filing, and may not be scanned.

Motions, oppositions, and replies filed electronically must be submitted in PDF format to permit text searches and to facilitate transmission and retrieval. Before these documents are electronically filed, the CM/ECF User shall convert the documents to PDF format. These documents may not be scanned.

CRITICAL

Revised exhibit lists must be emailed in Word format showing only revisions to specific email address.

If the exhibit list or proposed pretrial order is revised at any time after it is filed with the court, the parties shall email a revised list in Word format which sets forth ONLY the revisions that have been made to victoria_ericksen@wawd.uscourts.gov.

CRITICAL

Plaintiff exhibits numbered 1+, Defendant exhibits continue numbering (no A-1, A-2), subparts need court leave.

Plaintiff's exhibits shall be numbered consecutively beginning with 1; Defendant's exhibits shall be numbered consecutively beginning with the next number sequence not used by Plaintiff (e.g., if Plaintiff has 160 exhibits, Defendant should begin numbering its exhibits at 200. Defendant’s exhibits shall not be labeled A-1, A-2, etc.). Subparts and subnumbers shall not be used absent leave of the court.

CRITICAL

Two sets of exhibits shall be delivered to the courtroom deputy. Each set of exhibits shall be submitted in a three-ring binder with appropriately numbered tabs. Unless necessary to preserve an exhibit, exhibits should not be placed in plastic sleeves. Additional numbered tabs shall be provided in the event additional exhibits are marked during trial.

Two sets of exhibits shall be delivered to the courtroom deputy. Each set of exhibits shall be submitted in a three-ring binder with appropriately numbered tabs. Unless necessary to preserve an exhibit, exhibits should not be placed in plastic sleeves. Additional numbered tabs shall be provided in the event additional exhibits are marked during trial.

CRITICAL

All trial exhibits must be pre-marked by counsel. Exhibit tags may be obtained from the Clerk’s Office. In the alternative, counsel may create stickers or stamps that conform to this format: Plaintiff’s (or Defendant’s) Exhibit Cause No. _____________ Exhibit No. _____________

All trial exhibits must be pre-marked by counsel. Exhibit tags may be obtained from the Clerk’s Office. In the alternative, counsel may create stickers or stamps that conform to this format: Plaintiff’s (or Defendant’s) Exhibit Cause No. _____________ Exhibit No. _____________

CRITICAL

Electronic exhibits must use specific numbering format (00001, A0001) for jury trials.

The electronic version of the exhibits need to be numbered as shown below.* This ensures they remain in the proper order in the evidence portfolio. However, on the exhibit list itself, the exhibits may be numbered 1 – 500 and A1 – A500 respectively for ease of use during the trial process.

CRITICAL

Format

PDF

Each exhibit must be provided as a single PDF document.

Each exhibit must be a single PDF Document

CRITICAL

1) The original set of exhibits (witness) shall be submitted in binders with tabbed dividers between each exhibit. 2) A second set of exhibits for the Court should also be in tabbed binders.

1) The original set of exhibits (witness) shall be submitted in binders with tabbed dividers between each exhibit. 2) A second set of exhibits for the Court should also be in tabbed binders.

CRITICAL

An updated exhibit or witness list submitted after revision must be in Word format.

If the exhibit or witness list is revised at any time after it is filed with the court, Counsel shall email an updated list in Word format to Tyler Campbell, Courtroom Deputy, at tyler_campbell@wawd.uscourts.gov.

CRITICAL

Format

PDF

Exhibits must be delivered on a CD in PDF format.

Exhibits must be on a CD in PDF format

CRITICAL

Each binder must identify its contained exhibit numbers on both the front and spine.

Each binder shall identify the exhibit numbers contained within the binder on the front of the binder, as well as on the spine.

CRITICAL

Audio or video exhibits must be playable in Windows Media Player.

Exhibits that contain audio or video must be playable in Windows Media Player

WARNING

Reduced pleadings are limited to 2 pages per side of paper.

Reduced pleadings or documents provided to other parties shall contain no more than 2 pages of reduced standard 8-1/2 x 11 pages per side of the paper using a standard embedded font.

WARNING

All exhibits and attachments must be on 8.5x11 inch paper; smaller exhibits must be mounted on 8.5x11 paper.

All attachments and exhibits shall be 8-1/2 x 11 inches, photo-reduced if necessary. An exhibit smaller than 8-1/2 x 11 inches shall be attached to or photocopied onto an 8-1/2 x 11 sheet of paper.

WARNING

Pleadings must be on 8.5x11 inch paper, with a standard embedded font at 11 or 12 point, double-spaced.

All pleadings shall be in 8-1/2 x 11 inch document format, using a standard embedded font, 11 or 12 point, and shall be double spaced.

WARNING

Each page of orders and judgments must contain at least two lines of text.

Orders and judgments shall contain at least two lines of text on each page.

WARNING

Orders must be 8.5x11 inches, use a standard embedded font (11 or 12 point), double-spaced, with line numbers in the left margin.

Orders shall be in 8-1/2 x 11 inch document format, using a standard embedded font, 11 or 12 point, and shall be double spaced. Each order shall bear line numbers in the left margins.

WARNING

Motions, notices, responses, and replies must include judge name, chapter, location, hearing date/time, and response date on the top right-hand corner.

The name of the assigned judge, the chapter under which the case is pending, and the location, date and time of hearing, and the response date shall be noted on the top right-hand corner of the motion, notice of hearing, response, and reply.

WARNING

Judges sign orders electronically; electronic signatures have the same effect as handwritten; undated documents are deemed dated as of docket entry.

The judges of the court sign orders, findings of fact and conclusions of law, judgments, and other pleadings requiring their signatures by electronic means, and such electronic signatures shall have the same effect as a handwritten signature. Any document signed by a judge that is not dated shall be deemed to be dated as of the date the pleading is entered on the docket.

WARNING

each pleading shall bear line numbers in the left margin.

each pleading shall bear line numbers in the left margin.

WARNING

Orders must end with "///End of Order///", omit date/signature lines for the judge, and include "Presented by" with attorney name, bar ID, and signature line in the lower left corner.

The designation "///End of Order///" shall be placed after the final line of text on the order. No date or signature line is to be provided for the judge. The attorney(s) presenting the order shall so indicate in the lower left hand corner of the last page of the order by stating "Presented by" with their name, bar identification number and signature line.

WARNING

Margins

top 4 in

The first page of every order must have a 4-inch blank top margin for court use.

For all orders, the first page of the order must have a 4 inch top margin that is left blank for court use only.

WARNING

Use slip sheets to separate and identify attached exhibits or exhibits grouped and filed together.

Use slip sheets to separate and identify exhibits when one or more exhibits are attached to a document or grouped together and filed as one (e.g., “Exhibit A,” and nothing more on the page).

WARNING

Exhibits attached to a document or filed together must be separated and identified with slip sheets.

Use slip sheets to separate and identify exhibits when one or more exhibits are attached to a document or grouped together and filed as one (e.g., “Exhibit A,” and nothing more on the page).

WARNING

Format

PDF

PDF documents longer than 14 pages should include electronic bookmarks or an outline with embedded links.

Any PDF document longer than 14 pages should also include electronic bookmarks or an outline with links embedded in the file.

WARNING

Submissions longer than 14 pages must include a table of contents, regardless of word count.

For submissions longer than 14 pages (regardless of word count), please include a table of contents.

WARNINGCivil cases

Electronic exhibits must be transmitted as individual files (one exhibit per file).

Electronic exhibits must be transmitted individually (i.e., one exhibit per file), but exhibits may have multiple pages

WARNINGCivil cases

Exhibit file names should match the descriptions listed on the joint exhibit list as closely as possible except that file names should not exceed 80 characters

Exhibit file names should match the descriptions listed on the joint exhibit list as closely as possible except that file names should not exceed 80 characters

WARNINGCivil cases

Courtesy copies must be printed double-sided.

Courtesy copies shall be printed double-sided.

WARNINGCivil cases

Citations must be included in the body of the briefing, not in footnotes, with the exception of citations following explanatory footnotes.

Citations must be included in the body of the briefing, not in footnotes, with the exception of citations following explanatory footnotes.

WARNING

Format

DOCX

Proposed jury instructions must be filed on the docket and also emailed in Word format.

Proposed jury instructions must be submitted both on the docket and in Word format via e-mail.

WARNING

Citations must be in the body of the brief, not in footnotes, except for citations following explanatory footnotes.

Citations must be included in the body of the briefing, not in footnotes, with the exception of citations following explanatory footnotes.