What type font for legal documents?

[h linamen]

Can someone advise which type font is most typically used for legal documents? Thanks.

[Donkey Hotay]

Serif monospace 10 or 12pt
larger, bold, italic for emphasis, points and headers.

My US$0.02,

[AlphaDog]

According to what I've read, documents designed to be read as hard copy (as opposed to something posted on the web) should use one of the serif fonts. I think Times New Roman is a good example, and New York and Courier are used often, too. Unfortunately, I don't have a highly trained eye for this stuff, so I sometimes switch among those that have a similar look, depending on their size. I've learned not all 12 point fonts are created equal. When I was grant writing, and the instructions clearly stated 12 point font, sometimes I'd look for the one that was the smallest 12 point I could find, and sometimes I looked for the biggest. Obviously that was depending either on how many words I was trying to cram in or how many pages I was trying to fill.

[Chupa Chupa]

For court docs go to the respective court's web site where you'll be filing and it will tell you what specific fonts are acceptable. For non-court docs something that it easy to read like Sourier, Genenva, or Times is OK.

[anonymouse1]

Depends. Some courts have very specific requirements for filings (i.e., "Courier 12 point with 1" borders on all edges, line spacing at 24 point"). Others are more general ("must be legible")

What I see most often is either Courier or Times, usually in 10 or 12 point. One law firm I know of uses Schoolbook for all internal documents-firm policy.

Why do you want to know?

[h linamen]

You guys are great with all the suggestions - all of which make sense. I have settled on New Times Roman.

[threeprong]

Kidprint Bold

[Seacrest]

If it's for a frivolous lawsuit, use Comic Sans.

[karsen]

lol @ seacreast