Court of Appeal of the State of California

Brief and appendix rules we apply — State appeal, $299.

Format

Type: Century Schoolbook 13 pt, 1.5-spaced
Margins: Margins: top 1", right 1.5", bottom 1", left 1.5"
Opening brief: 14,000 words
Reply brief: 14,000 words
What counts: Includes footnotes; excludes tables, cover info, certificate of interested entities, verifications, signature blocks, word-count certificate, attachments. Typewritten: 50 pages
Rules: California Rules of Court, Title 8 (Appellate Rules) — Cal. Rules of Court, rules 8.204(b), 8.74(b); Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.204(c)

Parts of the brief, in order

Cover — Required · rule 8.204(b)(10), 8.40(b)
CERTIFICATE OF INTERESTED ENTITIES OR PERSONS — Required · rule 8.208(d) (civil appeals except family, juvenile, guardianship, conservatorship; after cover, before tables)
TABLE OF CONTENTS — Required · rule 8.204(a)(1)(A)
TABLE OF AUTHORITIES — Required · rule 8.204(a)(1)(A)
INTRODUCTION — Optional · customary
STATEMENT OF THE CASE — Required · rule 8.204(a)(2)(A) (nature of action, relief sought, judgment/order appealed)
STATEMENT OF APPEALABILITY — Required · rule 8.204(a)(2)(B)
STATEMENT OF FACTS — Required · rule 8.204(a)(2)(C)
ARGUMENT — Required · rule 8.204(a)(1)(B)
CONCLUSION — Required · customary
CERTIFICATE OF WORD COUNT — Required · rule 8.204(c)(1)
PROOF OF SERVICE — Required · rules 8.25, 8.29

Argument headings: Each point under a separate heading or subheading summarizing the point, supported by argument and authority (8.204(a)(1)(B)); every record reference cites volume and page

Standard of review: Not mandated as a separate section by rule; customarily stated in argument for each issue

Record citations: Volume and page: (1 CT 12) clerk's transcript; (2 RT 34) reporter's transcript; (AA 12) appellant's appendix

Appellant's Appendix

Optional. Pages are numbered like 1 AA 12. (rules 8.122, 8.124)

index / table of contents
notice of appeal
judgment or order appealed from
notice of entry of judgment
register of actions
other documents necessary for review

Appendix is elected in lieu of clerk's transcript (8.124); otherwise cite clerk's transcript (CT)

Certificates

Compliance: Certificate by counsel or unrepresented party stating the number of words (may rely on word-processor count)
Service: Proof of service on all parties and, where required, the Supreme Court and trial court
Certificate of interested entities or persons (rule 8.208) in civil appeals

Good to know

Any conventional font allowed on paper (8.204(b)); for e-filed documents 8.74 requires proportionally spaced serif, Century Schoolbook preferred, 13 pt, 1.5 spacing, left-aligned (not justified)
Case names italicized or underscored
Criminal appeals: 25,500 words (rule 8.360(b)); typewritten 75 pages
Combined briefs (8.216) double the limit
Local district rules may add requirements

Filing: TrueFiling e-filing mandatory for represented parties; text-searchable PDF, bookmarks to each heading/subheading and component, PDF page counter matches page numbers, max 100 MB (8.74)

Questions

What font and spacing does the Court of Appeal of the State of California require for briefs?

Century Schoolbook 13 pt, 1.5-spaced; margins: top 1", right 1.5", bottom 1", left 1.5" (Cal. Rules of Court, rules 8.204(b), 8.74(b)).

How long can an opening brief be in the Court of Appeal of the State of California?

14,000 words (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.204(c)). Reply brief: 14,000 words.

What goes in the appendix?

Appellant's Appendix: index / table of contents; notice of appeal; judgment or order appealed from; notice of entry of judgment; register of actions; other documents necessary for review.