Formatting Requirements
C.D. Cal. — CDCA requires 14-point proportionally spaced font (or 10.5 characters/inch monospaced), double spacing including citations and quotations...
CDCA requires 14-point proportionally spaced font (or 10.5 characters/inch monospaced), double spacing including citations and quotations, and a 7,000-word limit for motions. Footnotes may be single-spaced. Every brief over 10 pages needs a table of contents and table of authorities. L.R. 11-3 et seq. and L.R. 11-6.
Document Formatting (L.R. 11-3)
| Requirement | Rule | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Font | L.R. 11-3.1.1 | Proportionally spaced: standard (non-condensed) 14-point or larger. Monospaced: max 10.5 characters per inch. |
| Paper | L.R. 11-3.2 | 8.5 x 11 inches. Numbered left margin. Max 28 lines per page. Double-spaced. Line 1 begins at least 1 inch below top edge. |
| Spacing | L.R. 11-3.6 | Double-spaced, including citations and quotations. |
| Footnotes | L.R. 11-3.6.1 | May be single-spaced. |
| Quotations | L.R. 11-3.7 | Block quotes (more than one sentence) indented 5-20 spaces. |
| Pagination | L.R. 11-3.3 | Consecutive page numbers at the bottom of each page. |
| Pre-punching | L.R. 11-3.5 | Two holes, 2-3/4 inches apart, 1/2 to 5/8 inches from top. All pages firmly bound at top. |
Word/Page Limits (L.R. 11-6.1)
| Document Type | Word Limit | Page Limit (typewritten only) |
|---|---|---|
| Memorandum of points and authorities | 7,000 words | 25 pages |
| Pretrial brief | 7,000 words | 25 pages |
| Trial brief | 7,000 words | 25 pages |
| Post-trial brief | 7,000 words | 25 pages |
| Discovery motion supplemental memo | 5 pages (L.R. 37-2.3) | 5 pages |
| Discovery joint stipulation intro statement | 3 pages per party (L.R. 37-2.1) | 3 pages per party |
Certificate of compliance required (L.R. 11-6.2): Every brief (except handwritten/typewriter) must include a certificate on the last page stating the word count.
Table of contents and authorities required (L.R. 11-8): For any memorandum or brief exceeding 10 pages.