Exhibit Label
The identifier assigned to a piece of evidence, typically following court-specific naming conventions (e.g., plaintiff uses numbers 1-999, defendant uses letters A-ZZZ).
What You Need to Know
Use the exhibit labels required by your court’s local rules and case order. Some courts use letters for one party and numbers for another; others use numbers or assigned ranges for every party. Confirm the scheme before labeling the set.
Put this into practice
Use the step-by-step help to prepare and check your files. Definitions explain the terms; the rules and orders for your matter determine what is required.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What exhibit labeling conventions should I follow in federal court?
Federal courts do not mandate specific exhibit labeling conventions in the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure or Federal Rules of Evidence. Common practices include: (1) plaintiff uses numbers (1, 2, 3), defendant uses letters (A, B, C), (2) all parties use numbers with party prefixes (P-1, D-1, TP-1 for plaintiff, defendant, third-party), or (3) sequential numbering regardless of party (1, 2, 3 continuing across both sides). Check: (1) local rules for your district, (2) the assigned judge's standing orders or preferences, and (3) past orders in similar cases. Negotiate labeling conventions during Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 26(f) meet-and-confer conferences and document the agreement in your case management order.
How do I label exhibits in multi-party cases?
In multi-party cases, labeling each party's exhibits distinctly (for example with a party prefix) helps avoid confusion — follow any convention the court sets. Common systems include: (1) party abbreviations plus numbers/letters—PLF-1, DEF1-A, DEF2-A, TP-1 for plaintiff, first defendant, second defendant, third-party defendant, (2) full party names abbreviated—ACME-1, SMITH-A, JONES-A, or (3) numeric prefixes—100 series for plaintiff (101, 102), 200 series for defendant (201, 202), 300 series for third-party (301, 302). Choose a system that: prevents duplicate labels, clearly identifies the offering party, remains simple for witness testimony, and complies with local rules. Document the labeling system in pretrial orders and exhibit lists to avoid confusion during trial.
Can I use the same exhibit label for documents marked at deposition and trial?
Generally no—deposition and trial exhibits use separate labeling systems. Best practice: mark deposition exhibits as "Deposition Exhibit 1" during depositions (attached to that transcript), then re-mark the same document as "Trial Exhibit 15" if used at trial (following your trial exhibit sequence). This prevents conflicts when: (1) multiple depositions each have "Exhibit 1," (2) some deposition exhibits aren't used at trial, or (3) trial exhibits include documents not marked at any deposition. When referencing deposition testimony at trial, cite both labels: "At her deposition, Ms. Johnson identified Deposition Exhibit 3—now marked as Trial Exhibit 22—as the contract in question." Some courts allow cross-referencing if the same labeling system is used consistently, but separate systems are safer.
When It's Used
Assigned during exhibit preparation and referenced throughout trial
Example
"In California state court, plaintiffs typically use numbers (Exhibit 1, 2, 3) while defendants use letters (Exhibit A, B, C)."
References to check
- Applicable local rules and case orders — exhibit identifiers
- Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 26(f) - Meet and confer on discovery issues
- Applicable local exhibit instructions
Related Terms
Exhibit Stamp
A label or marking applied to documentary evidence to identify it during legal proceedings. Typically includes the exhibit number or letter, party designation, and sometimes the case name.
Exhibit Marking
The process of applying identification labels to evidence before trial or deposition. Includes physical stamps, digital overlays, or adhesive labels.
Sequential Labeling
Numbering or lettering exhibits in consecutive order (1, 2, 3... or A, B, C...) rather than by custom labels.
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