Court of Appeals of the State of New York

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 related-litigation statement, disclosure statement, TOC, table of authorities, questions presented, addendum; typewritten: 35 pp. principal, 20 pp. reply
Rules: Rules of Practice of the Court of Appeals (22 NYCRR Part 500) — 22 NYCRR 500.1; 22 NYCRR 500.13(c)

Parts of the brief, in order

Cover — Required · 500.1
Statement of status of related litigation — Required · 500.13(a)
Corporate disclosure statement — If applicable · 500.1(f)
TABLE OF CONTENTS — Required · 500.13(a)
TABLE OF AUTHORITIES — Required · 500.13(a)
STATEMENT OF JURISDICTION — Required · 500.13(a)
QUESTIONS PRESENTED — Required · 500.13(a)
ARGUMENT — Required · 500.13(a)
CONCLUSION — Required
Certification of word count — Required · 500.13(c)

Argument headings: Point headings required ('POINT I') per 500.13(a)

Record citations: (R. 123) or (A123)

Record or Appendix

Required. Pages are numbered like A12. (22 NYCRR 500.14; CPLR 5528-5529)

notice of appeal / order granting leave
orders and judgments appealed
decisions and opinions below
relevant testimony and exhibits

Certificates

Compliance: Signer certifies total word count of body of brief (500.13(c))
Service: Affidavit of service

Good to know

Monospaced alternative: 12 pt, footnotes 10 pt, max 10.5 cpi (500.1).
Jurisdiction statement must cite pages showing the Court's jurisdiction and preservation of questions.

Filing: Paper copies plus companion digital submissions per 500.2 and Clerk's technical specifications (check current Court of Appeals e-filing requirements)

Questions

What font and spacing does the Court of Appeals of the State of New York require for briefs?

Times New Roman 14 pt, double-spaced; 1-inch margins (22 NYCRR 500.1).

How long can an opening brief be in the Court of Appeals of the State of New York?

14,000 words (22 NYCRR 500.13(c)). Reply brief: 7,000 words.

What goes in the appendix?

Record or Appendix: notice of appeal / order granting leave; orders and judgments appealed; decisions and opinions below; relevant testimony and exhibits.