{"jurisdiction": "us-ny", "code": "nycrr", "section": "130-1.1a", "citation": "22 NYCRR § 130-1.1a", "heading": "Signing of papers", "text": ["(a) Signature. Every pleading, written motion, and other paper, served on another party or filed or submitted to the court shall be signed by an attorney, or by a party if the party is not represented by an attorney, with the name of the attorney or party clearly printed or typed directly below the signature. Absent good cause shown, the court shall strike any unsigned paper if the omission of the signature is not corrected promptly after being called to the attention of the attorney or party.", "(b) Certification. By signing a paper, an attorney or party certifies that, to the best of that person's knowledge, information and belief, formed after an inquiry reasonable under the circumstances, (1) the presentation of the paper or the contentions therein are not frivolous as defined in section 130-1.1(c) of this Subpart, and (2) where the paper is an initiating pleading, (i) the matter was not obtained through illegal conduct, or that if it was, the attorney or other persons responsible for the illegal conduct are not participating in the matter or sharing in any fee earned therefrom, and (ii) the matter was not obtained in violation of Part 1200. Rule 4.5 of this Title."], "official_source": "https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-130-costs-and-sanctions", "from_official_api": true, "plain_english": "This rule requires every court paper to be **signed**, and makes the signature a **certification** that the paper is not frivolous.\n- **(a) Signature.** Every **pleading, written motion and other paper** served on a party or filed or submitted to the court **shall be signed by an attorney**, or by the **party if unrepresented**, with the **name clearly printed or typed directly below the signature**. Absent **good cause**, the court **shall strike any unsigned paper** if the missing signature is **not corrected promptly** after it is pointed out. ★\n- **(b) Certification.** By signing, the attorney or party **certifies** that, to the best of their knowledge, information and belief **after a reasonable inquiry**:\n  - **(1)** the paper and its contentions are **not frivolous** as defined in **section 130-1.1(c)**; ★ and\n  - **(2)** for an **initiating pleading**, **(i)** the matter was **not obtained through illegal conduct**, or if it was, those responsible are **not participating** in the matter or **sharing in any fee**, and **(ii)** the matter was **not obtained in violation of Part 1200, Rule 4.5** of this Title.", "in_force_on": "2026-05-31", "retrieved": "2026-09-27", "url": "https://elyphived.com/us-ny/nycrr/130-1.1a", "publisher": "Elyphived LLC"}