(a) Signature. — Every pleading, written motion, and other paper 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 paper must state the signer’s address, e-mail address, telephone number, and attorney number, if any. Unless a rule or statute specifically states otherwise, a pleading need not be verified or accompanied by an affidavit. The court must strike an unsigned paper unless the omission is promptly corrected after being called to the attorney’s or party’s attention.
Rule 11.Signing pleadings, motions, and other papers; representations to the court; sanctions
Group III: Pleadings and Motions · Last amended March 1, 2017 · Last verified July 14, 2026
In one sentenceRule 11 requires a signature on every filing, certifies that the filing has a good-faith basis, and lets the court sanction a party or attorney who violates that certification.
Full Text of Rule 11
(b) Representations to the Court. — By presenting to the court a pleading, written motion, or other paper — whether by signing, filing, submitting, or later advocating it — an attorney or unrepresented party certifies that to the best of the person’s knowledge, information, and belief, formed after an inquiry reasonable under the circumstances:
(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) In General. — If, after notice and a reasonable opportunity to respond, the court determines that Rule 11(b) has been violated, the court may impose an appropriate sanction on any attorney, law firm, or party that violated the rule or is responsible for the violation. Absent exceptional circumstances, a law firm must be held jointly responsible for a violation committed by its partner, associate, or employee.
(2) Motion for Sanctions. — A motion for sanctions must be made separately from any other motion and must describe the specific conduct that allegedly violates Rule 11(b). The motion must be served under Rule 5, but it must not be filed or be presented to the court if the challenged paper, claim, defense, contention, or denial is withdrawn or appropriately corrected within 21 days after service or within another time the court sets. If warranted, the court may award to the prevailing party the reasonable expenses, including attorney’s fees, incurred for the motion.
(3) On the Court’s Initiative. — On its own, the court may order an attorney, law firm, or party to show cause why conduct specifically described in the order has not violated Rule 11(b).
(4) Nature of a Sanction. — A sanction imposed under this rule must be limited to what suffices to deter repetition of the conduct or comparable conduct by others similarly situated. The sanction may include nonmonetary directives; an order to pay a penalty into court; or, if imposed on motion and warranted for effective deterrence, an order directing payment to the movant of part or all of the reasonable attorney’s fees and other expenses directly resulting from the violation.
(5) Limitations on Monetary Sanctions. — The court must not impose a monetary sanction:
(A) against a represented party for violating Rule 11(b)(2); or
(B) on its own, unless it issued the show-cause order under Rule 11(c)(3) before voluntary dismissal or settlement of the claims made by or against the party that is, or whose attorneys are, to be sanctioned.
(6) Requirements for an Order. — An order imposing a sanction must describe the sanctioned conduct and explain the basis for the sanction.
Amendment History
Added February 2, 2017, effective March 1, 2017.
Plain-English Summary
Every pleading, motion, and paper must carry the signature of an attorney of record or an unrepresented party, along with contact information. An unsigned paper gets struck unless the problem is fixed promptly once flagged. By signing, filing, or later advocating a paper, the signer certifies — after reasonable inquiry — that it is not filed for an improper purpose like harassment or delay, that its legal positions are warranted by existing law or a good-faith argument to change it, and that its factual assertions and denials have evidentiary support or a reasonable prospect of getting it.
When that certification is violated, the court can sanction the responsible attorney, firm, or party, but only after notice and a chance to respond. A motion for sanctions comes with a built-in safe harbor: it cannot be filed until 21 days after service, giving the other side time to withdraw or correct the problem. The court can also raise the issue on its own through a show-cause order. Any sanction must be no more than necessary to deter repeat conduct, and Rule 11 does not reach discovery papers, which are governed by Rules 26 through 37 instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
What am I certifying when I sign and file a paper under Rule 11?
That the paper is not being filed for an improper purpose, that its legal contentions are warranted by existing law or a nonfrivolous argument to change it, and that its factual assertions and denials have or will likely have evidentiary support.
Can a court sanction me for filing a frivolous motion?
Yes, but only after notice and a reasonable opportunity to respond, and any sanction must be limited to what deters repeating the conduct.
What is the 21-day safe harbor for a Rule 11 motion?
A motion for sanctions must be served on the other side first, and it cannot be filed with the court if the challenged paper is withdrawn or corrected within 21 days of service, or another time the court sets.
Can my law firm be sanctioned for something an associate filed?
Yes. Absent exceptional circumstances, a law firm must be held jointly responsible for a violation committed by its partner, associate, or employee.
Does Rule 11 apply to discovery disputes?
No. Rule 11 expressly does not apply to disclosures, discovery requests, responses, objections, and motions under Rules 26 through 37.
Source & verification. Rule text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure, adopted by the
Supreme Court of Wyoming. Last verified July 14, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: rule 11 sanctions wyoming21 day safe harborfrivolous filing sanctionssanctions for improper purposesigning pleadings and motions