output-docx-export-style

Category: Documents Risk: Unknown ★ 3.9 · Rating 3.9/5 (8) sboghossian/mini-claude-for-legal MIT

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name: output-docx-export-style
description: Use when generating or formatting output as a DOCX file for a legal document. Defines the heading hierarchy (Heading 1 through 3 plus Body Text variants), font and spacing standards (Times New Roman 12pt, 1.5 line spacing), numbering conventions, margin settings, signature block format, and schedule/annex structure — with rules for what to avoid (manual numbering, inconsistent fonts, hand-drawn signature lines).
license: MIT
metadata:
id: output.docx-export-style
category: output
priority: P1
intent: [docx, export, formatting, document-style, word-processing]
related: [output-bilingual-formatting, output-client-letter-style, output-executive-summary-first]
source: Louis — HAQQ Legal AI (github.com/sboghossian/mini-claude-for-legal)
version: "1.0"

DOCX Export Style

When to use this

Apply this style specification whenever generating output that will be exported as a Microsoft Word (.docx) file. This covers:

Contract drafts and amendments
Legal memos and opinions
Client letters formatted for delivery
Court submissions (where Word format is accepted)
Term sheets and MOUs

For PDF-only output, these rules still apply — they govern the intermediate Word document before PDF conversion.

Heading hierarchy

Use named Word styles (not manual bold/font-size formatting — manual formatting breaks on template changes and does not export cleanly):

Style name	Used for	Example
Heading 1	Agreement or document title	NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT
Heading 2	Article (numbered)	ARTICLE 1. DEFINITIONS
Heading 3	Sub-clause heading	1.1 Confidential Information
Body Text	Main clause body	"Confidential Information means..."
Body Text Indented	Sub-clauses with one level of indent	"(a) all financial data..."
List Paragraph	Bullet or numbered lists within clauses	(i), (ii), (iii) lists

All heading styles should be defined in the document's built-in style set. Do not override heading styles with manual formatting.

Font and spacing

Property	Value	Notes
Body font	Times New Roman 12pt	Or equivalent serif (Garamond, Palatino) if firm style requires
Heading font	Same serif, bold	Heading 1 may be all-caps or small-caps per firm style
Line spacing	1.5 for legal contracts; 1.0 with 6pt paragraph spacing for short memos	1.5 is the standard for formal contracts
Paragraph spacing	0pt before, 0pt after (for contracts)	Let line spacing create the visual separation
First-line indent	0.5 inch (contracts)	Or paragraph block style with no indent + paragraph spacing
Justification	Fully justified for contracts; left-aligned for memos and letters

Margins

Context	Margins
US standard	1 inch all sides
EU / MENA standard	2.5 cm (approx. 1 inch) all sides
Filed documents (court)	Follow court's local rules — often larger left margin for binding

Page layout

Page numbers: bottom center, starting from page 1 of the agreement body (not the cover page, if any).
Header: agreement short title + version date (optional; depends on firm style). Example: Non-Disclosure Agreement — Execution Version — May 2026.
Footer: confidentiality marking — PRIVILEGED & CONFIDENTIAL if the document contains legal advice; CONFIDENTIAL for commercial contracts between sophisticated parties.

Numbering

Use automatic Word numbering — never manual numbering. Manual numbering (typing "1.", "2." by hand) breaks when clauses are added or removed during negotiation.

Numbering scheme for commercial contracts:

ARTICLE 1. DEFINITIONS
  1.1  [Clause body]
  1.2  [Clause body]
    (a)  [Sub-clause]
    (b)  [Sub-clause]
       (i)   [Sub-sub-clause]
       (ii)  [Sub-sub-clause]

Cross-references must be implemented using Word's cross-reference fields (Insert → Cross-reference → Heading/Numbered item) — not typed as literal text. Cross-reference fields update automatically when numbering changes.

Signature block

Place the signature block at the end of the main agreement body, before any schedules:

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

For [PARTY A NAME]                    For [PARTY B NAME]
By: ___________________________       By: ___________________________
Name:                                 Name:
Title:                                Title:
Date:                                 Date:

Rules:

Two-column layout using a table (no visible borders) — not using tab stops or manual spacing (which breaks on re-pagination).
Use Word form fields or underline characters for signature lines — not hand-drawn lines.
Include "By:" to clarify that the signature is that of an authorized representative, not the party entity itself.
The date line should be left blank in the template for wet-ink or e-signature completion.
For jurisdictions requiring witnesses (e.g., UAE real estate transactions, Lebanese notarized contracts): add witness blocks below the party signature blocks.

Schedules and annexes

Each schedule starts on a new page. The cover of each schedule:

SCHEDULE [1 / A] — [SCHEDULE TITLE]

(referred to in the Agreement as "Schedule [1/A]")