Minn. R. Civ. P. 11.03 (2026)
Sanctions
If, after notice and a reasonable opportunity to respond, the court determines that Rule 11.02 of these rules has been violated, the court may, subject to the conditions stated below, impose an appropriate sanction upon the attorneys, law firms, or parties that have violated Rule 11.02 or are responsible for the violation. This rule does not limit the imposition of sanctions authorized by other rules, statutes, or the inherent power of the court.
(a)How Initiated.
(1) By Motion. A motion for sanctions under this rule shall be made separately from other motions or requests and shall describe the specific conduct alleged to violate Rule 11.02. It shall be served as provided in Rule 5, but shall not be filed with or presented to the court unless, within 21 days after service of the motion (or such other period as the court may prescribe), the challenged document, claim, defense, contention, allegation, or denial is not withdrawn or appropriately corrected. If warranted, the court may award to the party prevailing on the motion the reasonable expenses and attorney fees incurred in presenting or opposing the motion. Absent exceptional circumstances, a law firm shall be held jointly responsible for violations committed by its partners, associates, and employees.
(2) On Court's Initiative. On its own initiative, the court may enter an order describing the specific conduct that appears to violate Rule 11.02 and directing an attorney, law firm, or party to show cause why it has not violated Rule 11.02 with respect thereto.
(b)Nature of Sanction; Limitations.
A sanction imposed for violation of this rule shall be limited to what is sufficient to deter repetition of such conduct or comparable conduct by others similarly situated. Subject to the limitations in Rule 11.03(a)(1) and (2), the sanction may consist of, or include, directives of a nonmonetary nature, 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 some or all of the reasonable attorney fees and other expenses incurred as a direct result of the violation.
(1) Monetary sanctions may not be awarded against a represented party for a violation of Rule 11.02(b).
(2) Monetary sanctions may not be awarded on the court's initiative unless the court issues its order to show cause before a voluntary dismissal or settlement of the claims made by or against the party which is, or whose attorneys are, to be sanctioned.
(c)Order.
When imposing sanctions, the court shall describe the conduct determined to constitute a violation of this rule and explain the basis for the sanction imposed.
(Amended effective January 1, 1992; amended effective July 1, 2000; amended effective August 1, 2000; amended effective July 1, 2015.)
Advisory Committee Comments - 2015 Amendments
The only substantive amendment to Rule 11 is found in Rule 11.02, which adds an additional certification made upon the signing of a pleading. Under this provision, signing a pleading is deemed to be a certification that the pleading does not contain any restricted identifiers in violation of Rule 11 of the General Rules of Practice. Rule 11.03 is amended in 2015 to recognize that relief is available under other rules including Gen. R. Prac. 11.04 regarding improper submission of restricted identifiers.
The remaining amendments to Rule 11 are not substantive in nature or intended effect. The replacement of "paper" with "document" is made through these rules, and simply advances precision in choice of language. Most documents will not be filed as "paper" documents, so paper is retired as a descriptor of them.
"Self-represented litigant" is used uniformly throughout the judicial branch, and is preferable to "non-represented party" and "pro se party," both to avoid a Latin phrase not used outside legal jargon and because it facilitates the drafting of clearer rules.