Writing a letter to the court requires precision, clarity, and adherence to specific legal protocols. Your letter represents you and your case, so it must be professional and persuasive. This article provides guidance on crafting effective court letters and presents 22 sample letters covering various scenarios. Remember to always consult with a legal professional for advice tailored to your specific situation.
These examples are intended as starting points. Always tailor your letter to the unique facts of your case and the specific requirements of the court you are addressing. Prioritize accuracy, conciseness, and respect for the judicial process. Improperly formatted or poorly written letters can negatively impact your case.
22 Court Letter Samples
Sample 1: Request for Continuance
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
[Court Clerk Name]
[Court Address]
Re: Case Number: [Case Number] – Request for Continuance
Dear Clerk,
I am writing to respectfully request a continuance of the hearing scheduled for [Date] in the above-referenced case. Due to [Reason for Continuance, e.g., a previously scheduled medical appointment], I am unable to attend on that date. I respectfully request the hearing be rescheduled for [Proposed New Date] or any date thereafter that is convenient for the court.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Typed Name]
Sample 2: Proof of Service
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date]
[Court Clerk Name]
[Court Address]
Re: Case Number: [Case Number] – Proof of Service
Dear Clerk,
Please find enclosed a signed Affidavit of Service, verifying that [Name of Served Party] was properly served with the [Document Name] on [Date of Service] at [Address of Service], via [Method of Service, e.g., Personal Service].
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Typed Name]
Sample 3: Request for Court Records
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date]
[Court Clerk Name]
[Court Address]
Re: Case Number: [Case Number] – Request for Records
Dear Clerk,
I am writing to request copies of the following documents from the court’s records pertaining to the above-referenced case: [List specific documents requested, e.g., “The Plaintiff’s Complaint,” “All Orders issued by Judge [Judge’s Name]”]. I am willing to pay the standard copying fees.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Typed Name]
Sample 4: Notice of Change of Address
[Your Name]
[Old Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date]
[Court Clerk Name]
[Court Address]
Re: Case Number: [Case Number] – Notice of Change of Address
Dear Clerk,
Please be advised that my address has changed to:
[New Address].
Please update your records accordingly.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Typed Name]
Sample 5: Affidavit Letter
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date]
[Court Clerk Name]
[Court Address]
Re: Case Number: [Case Number] – Affidavit Letter
Dear Clerk,
I, [Your Name], being duly sworn, state the following is true and correct to the best of my knowledge:
[Your Affidavit Statement, detailing the facts you are swearing to.]
Further affiant sayeth naught.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Typed Name]
Sample 6: Request for Postponement of Hearing
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date]
[Court Clerk Name]
[Court Address]
Re: Case Number: [Case Number] – Request for Postponement of Hearing
Dear Clerk,
I am writing to respectfully request a postponement of the hearing scheduled for [Date] in the above-referenced case. I have a previously scheduled appointment on this day that I cannot reschedule. I respectfully request the hearing be rescheduled to the next available date.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Typed Name]
Sample 7: Request for Copies of Documents
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date]
[Court Clerk Name]
[Court Address]
Re: Case Number: [Case Number] – Request for Copies of Documents
Dear Clerk,
I am writing to request copies of the following documents related to the above-referenced case: [List specific documents requested]. I am willing to pay the standard copying fees.
Thank you for your assistance.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Typed Name]
Sample 8: Notice of Entry of Appearance
[Attorney’s Name]
[Law Firm Name]
[Law Firm Address]
[Phone Number]
[Date]
[Court Clerk Name]
[Court Address]
Re: Case Number: [Case Number] – Notice of Entry of Appearance
Dear Clerk,
Please be advised that I am entering my appearance as counsel of record for [Client’s Name] in the above-referenced case. All future notices and pleadings should be directed to my office.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Typed Name]
Sample 9: Request for Dismissal of Case
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date]
[Court Clerk Name]
[Court Address]
Re: Case Number: [Case Number] – Request for Dismissal of Case
Dear Clerk,
I am writing to respectfully request the dismissal of the above-referenced case. [Explain Reason for Dismissal – e.g., Agreement with Opposing Party, Withdrawal of Claim].
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Typed Name]
Sample 10: Request for Subpoena
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date]
[Court Clerk Name]
[Court Address]
Re: Case Number: [Case Number] – Request for Subpoena
Dear Clerk,
I am writing to request that a subpoena be issued for [Witness Name], located at [Witness Address]. This witness’s testimony is crucial to my case because [Explain why the witness’s testimony is important].
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Typed Name]
Sample 11: Objection to Evidence
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date]
[Court Clerk Name]
[Court Address]
Re: Case Number: [Case Number] – Objection to Evidence
Dear Clerk,
I am writing to formally object to the admissibility of [Description of Evidence, e.g., “Plaintiff’s Exhibit A, the photograph”] on the grounds that [Legal Basis for Objection, e.g., “it is hearsay,” “it lacks foundation”]. I respectfully request that the Court not admit this evidence at trial.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Typed Name]
Sample 12: Request for Jury Trial
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date]
[Court Clerk Name]
[Court Address]
Re: Case Number: [Case Number] – Request for Jury Trial
Dear Clerk,
I am writing to formally request a jury trial in the above-referenced case. I understand the applicable deadlines for requesting a jury trial and am submitting this request in a timely manner.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Typed Name]
Sample 13: Motion for Summary Judgment
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date]
[Court Clerk Name]
[Court Address]
Re: Case Number: [Case Number] – Motion for Summary Judgment
Dear Clerk,
Please find enclosed my Motion for Summary Judgment, along with the supporting Memorandum of Law and Exhibits. I believe that there is no genuine issue of material fact and that I am entitled to judgment as a matter of law.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Typed Name]
Sample 14: Withdrawal as Counsel
[Attorney’s Name]
[Law Firm Name]
[Law Firm Address]
[Phone Number]
[Date]
[Court Clerk Name]
[Court Address]
Re: Case Number: [Case Number] – Motion to Withdraw as Counsel
Dear Clerk,
Please be advised that I am filing a Motion to Withdraw as Counsel for [Client’s Name] in the above-referenced case. [ Briefly explain the reason for withdrawal, maintaining confidentiality]. I have served a copy of this motion on my client.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Typed Name]
Sample 15: Motion to Compel Discovery
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date]
[Court Clerk Name]
[Court Address]
Re: Case Number: [Case Number] – Motion to Compel Discovery
Dear Clerk,
Please find enclosed my Motion to Compel Discovery. The opposing party, [Opposing Party Name], has failed to respond to my requests for [Specific Discovery Requests, e.g., “Interrogatories,” “Document Production”]. I request the Court order them to comply.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Typed Name]
Sample 16: Motion for Protective Order
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date]
[Court Clerk Name]
[Court Address]
Re: Case Number: [Case Number] – Motion for Protective Order
Dear Clerk,
I am filing a Motion for Protective Order to prevent the opposing party from [Describe the action you want to prevent, e.g., “disclosing confidential business information,” “harassing my client with irrelevant discovery requests”]. The information they are seeking is [Explain why the information is protected].
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Typed Name]
Sample 17: Request for Extension of Time
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date]
[Court Clerk Name]
[Court Address]
Re: Case Number: [Case Number] – Request for Extension of Time
Dear Clerk,
I am writing to respectfully request an extension of time to file [Name of Document, e.g., “Answer to Complaint,” “Opposition to Motion for Summary Judgment”]. The current deadline is [Current Deadline Date]. I am requesting an extension until [New Deadline Date] due to [Reason for Extension Request, e.g., “complex legal issues,” “heavy workload”].
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Typed Name]
Sample 18: Notice of Settlement
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date]
[Court Clerk Name]
[Court Address]
Re: Case Number: [Case Number] – Notice of Settlement
Dear Clerk,
Please be advised that the parties in the above-referenced case have reached a settlement. We anticipate filing a Stipulation of Dismissal within [Number] days.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Typed Name]
Sample 19: Request to Seal Records
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date]
[Court Clerk Name]
[Court Address]
Re: Case Number: [Case Number] – Request to Seal Records
Dear Clerk,
I am writing to request that the Court seal certain records in the above-referenced case. Specifically, I request that [Describe the records to be sealed, e.g., “Exhibit B, containing confidential financial information”] be sealed from public access. The reason for this request is [Explain the reason for sealing the records, e.g., “to protect the privacy of my client,” “to prevent competitive harm to my business”].
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Typed Name]
Sample 20: Motion for Reconsideration
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date]
[Court Clerk Name]
[Court Address]
Re: Case Number: [Case Number] – Motion for Reconsideration
Dear Clerk,
Please find enclosed my Motion for Reconsideration of the Court’s Order dated [Date of Order]. I respectfully request that the Court reconsider its ruling because [Explain the basis for your request for reconsideration, e.g., “new evidence has come to light,” “the Court overlooked a controlling legal precedent”].
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Typed Name]
Sample 21: Request for Accommodation
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date]
[Court Clerk Name]
[Court Address]
Re: Case Number: [Case Number] – Request for Accommodation
Dear Clerk,
I am writing to request an accommodation due to [Describe your disability or need for accommodation, e.g., “a hearing impairment”]. I respectfully request the following accommodation: [Describe the specific accommodation you are requesting, e.g., “a sign language interpreter”].
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Typed Name]
Sample 22: Informal Discovery Request
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date]
[Opposing Counsel’s Name]
[Law Firm Name]
[Law Firm Address]
Re: Case Number: [Case Number] – Informal Discovery Request
Dear [Opposing Counsel’s Name],
In the interest of efficiently resolving this matter, I am writing to you to informally request the following information: [List specific documents or information requested]. I believe this information will help us to narrow the issues in dispute and potentially avoid the need for formal discovery.
I would appreciate it if you could provide this information within [Number] days. Thank you for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Typed Name]
These court letter samples provide a valuable resource for understanding the format and content required in various legal scenarios. However, they are not a substitute for professional legal advice. Remember that each case is unique, and you should always consult with an attorney to ensure your letters accurately reflect your circumstances and comply with all applicable court rules. The samples above represent common scenarios and should be modified to fit the specifics of your situation. Always double-check the local rules of the court to which you are submitting the letter.
