How to Make a Legal Caption

A legal caption requires including information about the lawsuit.

Writing a legal caption doesn't involve describing a photo like you'd find in a magazine, newspaper or yearbook. In fact, a legal caption doesn't involve writing complete sentences. A legal caption refers to the heading of a legal document, called a pleading. Although a legal caption's appearance may vary according to federal, state and local rules, it typically provides the same information to the court and opposing parties. Thus, you must include a legal caption in all pleading documents you write, such as a complaint, answer or motion.

Instructions

1. Write the court's information on the left side of the document. Starting at the top of your pleading, write the court's name and mailing address, such as street, city, state and zip code.

2. Place the case information underneath the address. On the left side -- and underneath the court information -- write each the name of each party. For example, you'd write: Your name vs. WXY Company.

3. List your name below the case information. Provide the clerk of court with your name, address and telephone number. The clerk has to know who is filing the document.

4. Provide the pleading's title in the center of the document in all capital and bold lettering. If you're submitting the document to dismiss a lawsuit, then you would write: MOTION TO DISMISS.

5. Create a section titled "Court Use Only" on the right side, opposite of the court and party information. Leave room for the court to provide such information as the filing date.

Tips & Warnings

• Use the space below the "Court Use Only" title for case information. In the area on right side -- across from where you listed your name -- transcribe the case or docket number, division number and courtroom number.

• When listing your name on the pleading, include your fax number and/or email address. The additional information, however, isn't required.

• You'll notice on the left side of a pleading created by a lawyer that underneath the attorney's name is a registration number. You don't have to worry about providing that information if you are not a lawyer.

• Separate the left and right sides using one right-sided parenthesis in the center (above the pleading's title). The parenthesis goes on each line until you reach the title. If you don't want to use a right-sided parenthesis then leaving the area blank is sufficient.

• Provide the clerk of court's office with a "Court Use Only" area that is approximately 2 1/2 inches wide and 1 3/4 includes in length.

• When you're filing a complaint, you can't complete the case number or docket information because the case hasn't started. Leave the space blank or write a case number with a colon for the clerk of court.

References

• USLegal: Caption Law & Legal Definition