Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania
Brief and appendix rules we apply — State appeal, $299.
Format
- Type
- Times New Roman 14 pt, double-spaced
- Margins
- 1-inch margins
- Opening brief
- 14,000 words
- Reply brief
- 7,000 words
- What counts
- Excludes cover, TOC, tables of citations, proof of service, addendum; certification required if principal brief >30 pp. or reply >15 pp.; cross-appeal 16,500; capital direct 17,500/8,500; capital PCRA 22,500/11,250
- Rules
- Pennsylvania Rules of Appellate Procedure — Pa.R.A.P. 124(a); Pa.R.A.P. 2135
Parts of the brief, in order
- Cover — Required · Pa.R.A.P. 2172
- TABLE OF CONTENTS — Required · Pa.R.A.P. 2174
- TABLE OF CITATIONS — Required · Pa.R.A.P. 2174
- STATEMENT OF JURISDICTION — Required · Pa.R.A.P. 2111(a)(1), 2114
- ORDER OR OTHER DETERMINATION IN QUESTION — Required · Pa.R.A.P. 2111(a)(2), 2115
- STATEMENT OF SCOPE AND STANDARD OF REVIEW — Required · Pa.R.A.P. 2111(a)(3)
- STATEMENT OF THE QUESTIONS INVOLVED — Required · Pa.R.A.P. 2111(a)(4), 2116
- STATEMENT OF THE CASE — Required · Pa.R.A.P. 2111(a)(5), 2117
- SUMMARY OF ARGUMENT — Required · Pa.R.A.P. 2111(a)(6), 2118
- STATEMENT OF REASONS FOR ALLOWANCE OF APPEAL (discretionary aspects of sentence) — If applicable · Pa.R.A.P. 2111(a)(7), 2119(f)
- ARGUMENT — Required · Pa.R.A.P. 2111(a)(8), 2119
- CONCLUSION — Required · Pa.R.A.P. 2111(a)(9)
- Opinions below / relevant pleadings — Required · Pa.R.A.P. 2111(a)(10),(b),(c)
- Statement of errors complained of on appeal (Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b)) or averment none ordered — If applicable · Pa.R.A.P. 2111(a)(11),(d)
- Certificates of compliance (Rule 127 public access; Rule 2135(d) word count) — Required · Pa.R.A.P. 2111(a)(12)
- PROOF OF SERVICE — Required · Pa.R.A.P. 121
Argument headings: Argument divided into as many parts as questions, each with a distinctively displayed heading matching the Statement of Questions Involved, with discussion and citation of authorities and record references (Pa.R.A.P. 2119(a),(c)).
Standard of review: Separate statement of scope and standard of review before questions (Pa.R.A.P. 2111(a)(3))
Record citations: (R.R. 12a); supplemental (S.R.R. 3b)
Reproduced Record
Required. Pages are numbered like 12a. (Pa.R.A.P. 2151-2156, 2173)
- relevant docket entries
- relevant portions of pleadings, charge, findings, opinions
- judgment/order appealed
- other parts of record to which parties wish to direct the court
Pages numbered 1a, 2a... continuous across volumes; exemptions for IFP/pro se and some criminal cases (Pa.R.A.P. 2151).
Certificates
- Compliance: Word-count certification (Pa.R.A.P. 2135(d)) and public-access/confidential-information certification (Pa.R.A.P. 127)
- Service: Proof of service (Pa.R.A.P. 121)
Good to know
- Same Pa.R.A.P. brief rules; Commonwealth Court Internal Operating Procedures also apply.
- 1925(b) appendage requirement in 2111(d) is Superior Court-specific.
Filing: PACFile e-filing (UJS portal)
Questions
What font and spacing does the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania require for briefs?
Times New Roman 14 pt, double-spaced; 1-inch margins (Pa.R.A.P. 124(a)).
How long can an opening brief be in the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania?
14,000 words (Pa.R.A.P. 2135). Reply brief: 7,000 words.
What goes in the appendix?
Reproduced Record: relevant docket entries; relevant portions of pleadings, charge, findings, opinions; judgment/order appealed; other parts of record to which parties wish to direct the court.