Part One: General Rules Applicable to All Proceedings · Last amended 2023 · Last verified July 16, 2026
In one sentenceRule 1:16 sets the physical formatting standards for paper filings in Virginia courts outside electronic filing — 8½-by-11-inch pages, double spacing except for quotations, an exemption for material like charts and photographs, one transcript page per filed page — and lets the clerk require noncompliant papers to be redone rather than refused.
(a)Except as provided in Rules 1:17, 3:3, 3A:23, 7A:7(c), and 8:8(f) pertaining to Electronically Filed Cases:
(1)All pleadings, motions, briefs, depositions, requests for discovery and responses thereto, and all other documents filed in any clerk's office in any proceeding pursuant to these Rules must be produced on pages 8 1/2 by 11 inches in size and all typed material must be double spaced except for quotations.
(2)Subdivision (a)(1) of this Rule does not apply to tables, charts, plats, photographs, and other material that cannot be reasonably reproduced on paper of that size.
(3)All transcripts of proceedings, including any excerpt of a transcript filed as an exhibit, must be filed in the format of one transcript page per page. The filing of condensed, “minuscript,” or multi-page transcripts is prohibited.
(b)No paper will be refused for failure to comply with the provisions of this Rule, but the clerk may require that the paper be redone in compliance with this Rule and substituted for the paper initially filed. Counsel must certify that the substituted paper is identical in content to the paper initially filed.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 1:16 sets the physical format for papers filed in Virginia courts, except in Electronically Filed Cases governed by Rules 1:17, 3:3, 3A:23, 7A:7(c), and 8:8(f). Pleadings, motions, briefs, depositions, discovery requests and responses, and other filed documents must be produced on 8½-by-11-inch pages, with typed material double spaced except for quotations. That size requirement does not apply to tables, charts, plats, photographs, and similar material that cannot reasonably be reproduced at that size. Transcripts, including any excerpt filed as an exhibit, must be filed one transcript page per filed page — condensed, “minuscript,” or multi-page transcript formats are prohibited.
The rule does not let the clerk refuse a paper for failing to meet these format requirements. Instead, the clerk may require the paper to be redone in compliance and substituted for the original filing, and counsel must certify that the substituted paper is identical in content to what was first filed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What paper size and spacing does Virginia require for court filings?
Rule 1:16(a) requires 8½-by-11-inch pages with typed material double spaced, except for quotations, for filings outside Electronically Filed Cases.
Can I file condensed or “minuscript” transcripts in a Virginia court?
No. Rule 1:16(a)(3) requires transcripts, including excerpts filed as exhibits, to be filed one transcript page per page, and prohibits condensed, minuscript, or multi-page transcript formats.
Do photographs and charts have to fit on 8½-by-11-inch pages?
No. Rule 1:16(a)(2) exempts tables, charts, plats, photographs, and other material that cannot reasonably be reproduced on paper of that size.
Will the clerk reject my filing if it does not meet the formatting rules?
No. Rule 1:16(b) says no paper will be refused for failing to comply, though the clerk may require it to be redone and substituted, with counsel certifying that the substitute is identical in content to the original.
Does Rule 1:16 apply to electronically filed cases?
No, except as those other rules provide. Rule 1:16(a) applies apart from Rules 1:17, 3:3, 3A:23, 7A:7(c), and 8:8(f), which govern Electronically Filed Cases.
Amendment History
Last amended by Order dated November 10, 2022; effective January 9, 2023.
Source & verification. Rule text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Rules of Supreme Court of Virginia, published by the
Supreme Court of Virginia. Last verified July 16, 2026.
· Official source
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