Rule 11.Signing Pleadings, Motions, and Other Documents; Representations to the Court; Sanctions; Assisting Filing by Self-Represented Person.

Last amended December 3, 2024 · Last verified July 1, 2026

In one sentenceRule 11 requires every filed document to be signed, makes that signature a certification that the filing is not frivolous or abusive, authorizes sanctions for violations after a mandatory notice-and-withdrawal period, and lets attorneys ghostwrite documents for self-represented litigants without signing them.

Full Text of Rule 11

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b) (c) (d)

a Signature.

1 Generally. Every pleading, written motion, and other document filed with the court or served must be signed by at least one attorney of record in the attorney’s name—or by a party personally if the party is unrepresented. The court must strike an unsigned document unless the omission is promptly corrected after being called to the filer’s attention.

2 Electronic filings. ACJA § 1-901 governs how a person may sign a document filed through the person's electronic filing service provider account. “Electronic filing service provider” has the same meaning as provided in ACJA § 1-901.

3 Filings by multiple parties. A person filing a document containing more than one place for a signature—such as a stipulation—may sign on behalf of another party only if the person has actual authority to do so. The person may indicate such authority either by attaching a document confirming that authority and containing the signatures of the other persons who have authority to consent for such parties, or, after obtaining a party’s consent, by inserting “/s/ [the other party’s or person’s name] with permission” as any non-filing party’s signature.

b Representations to the court. By signing a pleading, motion, or other document, the attorney or party certifies that to the best of the person’s knowledge, information, and belief formed after reasonable inquiry:

1 it is not being presented for any improper purpose, such as to harass, cause unnecessary delay, or needlessly increase the cost of litigation;

2 the claims, defenses, and other legal contentions are warranted by existing law or by a nonfrivolous argument for extending, modifying, or reversing existing law or for establishing new law.

3 the factual contentions have evidentiary support or, if specifically so identified, will likely have evidentiary support after a reasonable opportunity for further investigation or discovery; and

4 the denials of factual contentions are warranted on the evidence or, if specifically so identified, are reasonably based on belief or a lack of information.

c Sanctions.

1 Generally. If a pleading, motion, or other document is signed in violation of this rule, or if a party fails to participate in good faith in the consultation required under Rule 11(c)(2), the court—on motion or on its own—may impose on the person who signed it, a represented party, or both, an appropriate sanction. The sanction may include an order to pay to the other party or parties the amount of the reasonable expenses incurred, including a reasonable attorney’s fee, because of the filing of the document or because of the party’s failure to participate in the required Rule 11(c)(2) consultation. In considering an appropriate sanction, the court must take into account the opportunities provided to the person or party violating Rule 11 to withdraw or correct the alleged violation under Rule 11(c)(2). Filing by Self-Represented Person.

2 Consultation. Before filing a motion for sanctions under this rule, the moving party must:

A attempt to resolve the matter by good faith consultation as provided in Rule 7.1 (h); and

B if the matter is not satisfactorily resolved by consultation, serve the opposing party with written notice of the specific conduct that allegedly violates Rule 11(b). If the opposing party does not withdraw or appropriately correct the alleged violation(s) within 10 days after the written notice is served, the moving party may file a motion under Rule 11(c)(3).

3 Motion for Sanctions. A motion for sanctions under this rule must:

A be made separately from any other motion;

B describe the specific conduct that allegedly violates Rule 11(b);

C be accompanied by a Rule 7.1 (h) good faith consultation certificate; and

D attach a copy of the written notice provided to the opposing party under Rule 11(c)(2)(B).

d Assisting filing by self-represented person. An attorney may help draft a pleading, motion, or other document filed by an otherwise self-represented person, and the attorney need not sign that pleading, motion, or other document. In providing such drafting assistance, the attorney may rely on the otherwise self-represented person’s representation of facts, unless the attorney has reason to believe that such representations are false or materially insufficient, in which case the attorney must make an independent reasonable inquiry into the facts.

Amendment History

Promulgated by R-16-0010, effective January 1, 2017; amended by R-17-0010, effective July 1, 2018; amended by R-22-0009, effective January 1, 2024; amended on an emergency basis by R-24-0048, effective August 22, 2024 and made permanent December 3, 2024.

Plain-English Summary

Every pleading, motion, or other filed document needs a signature — from an attorney of record or, if no attorney is involved, from the party personally. Electronic filings follow the signature rules in ACJA § 1-901, and when a filing needs more than one signature, such as a stipulation, a person may sign for someone else only with that person’s actual authority, documented either by an attached authorization or by an “/s/ [name] with permission” notation. A court must strike an unsigned document unless the omission is promptly fixed once someone points it out.

By signing, the attorney or party certifies — after a reasonable inquiry — that the filing is not being used to harass or run up costs, that its legal positions are grounded in existing law or a good faith argument to change it, and that its factual claims and denials have or will likely have evidentiary support.

A court may sanction whoever signed a document that violates these certifications, or a party who does not participate in good faith in the required pre-motion consultation. But before moving for sanctions, the requesting party must first try to resolve the issue through a good faith consultation, then give written notice of the specific violation; only if the other side does not withdraw or correct the problem within 10 days may a sanctions motion follow, and that motion must be separate from any other motion and come with its own consultation certificate.

An attorney may help draft filings for someone who is otherwise representing themselves without signing the document or taking on full representation, relying on that person’s account of the facts unless there’s reason to doubt it — in which case the attorney must independently look into the facts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who must sign a pleading or motion filed in an Arizona court?

At least one attorney of record, or the party personally if unrepresented; the court must strike an unsigned filing unless it is promptly corrected.

What does signing a document certify under Rule 11?

That it isn't filed to harass or increase costs, that its legal arguments are grounded in existing or arguably-changing law, and that its factual assertions have or will likely have evidentiary support.

What must happen before a party can file a motion for Rule 11 sanctions?

The moving party must first attempt a good faith consultation, then serve written notice of the alleged violation, and wait 10 days for it to be withdrawn or corrected.

Can a lawyer help write court papers for someone representing themselves?

Yes, without signing the document or becoming counsel of record, as long as the attorney reasonably relies on the person's account of the facts.

Source & verification. The rule text and History are reproduced verbatim from the official Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure (Ariz. R. Civ. P. 11). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Arizona (Ariz. Const. art. 6, § 5). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 1, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: Rule 11 sanctionssigning pleadingscertification requirementghostwritingself-represented litigants