A pleading is a written submission that sets out claims,
allegations, arguments, or evidence. Pleadings include briefs, motions,
attachments, and responses.
The date of filing of any submission by mail is the postmark
date. If no legible postmark date appears on the mailing, the submission
is presumed to have been mailed 5 days before OARM receives it (excluding
days on which OARM is closed for business). The date of filing of any
submission sent by facsimile is the date on which OARM receives it.
Please note that, due to security delays in mail delivery to the Department
of Justice, you may wish to file your pleadings with OARM by facsimile.
Yes. Pleadings filed with OARM generally must not exceed
25 pages (not to include any attached exhibits). However, in the event
that a party believes that additional pages are necessary, either party
may file with the Director of OARM a motion for leave to file a document
that exceeds OARM’s 25-page limit.
Yes. All pleadings and attachments filed with OARM must
be filed on 8 ½" X 11" paper, except for good cause
shown.
Generally, yes. Except for your request for corrective
action, you are required to provide (i.e., “serve”) the
FBI’s representative with a copy of each pleading you file with
OARM. Likewise, the FBI is required to serve you or your representative
with a copy of each pleading it files with OARM.
To prove that you have served the other party with a copy
of your pleading filed with OARM, you must provide OARM with a certificate
of service (which should accompany each pleading submitted to OARM).
A certificate of service is a written statement certifying
that you have served the other party with a copy of your pleading and
must include the:
| • | Method of service (i.e., by mail or facsimile); |
| • | Date of service (i.e., the date on which documents are served on the other party); and |
| • | Name and address of the individual served. |
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