Court of Civil Appeals of the State of Oklahoma
Brief and appendix rules we apply — State appeal, $299.
Format
- Type
- Times New Roman 12 pt, double-spaced
- Margins
- Margins: top 1", right 1", bottom 1", left 1.25"
- Opening brief
- 30 pages
- Reply brief
- 30 pages
- What counts
- Excludes cover, index, appendix, signature/attorney info, certificate of service; combined counter/cross-appeal briefs 40 pp.
- Rules
- Oklahoma Supreme Court Rules (Okla. Sup. Ct. R.), Title 12 O.S. Ch. 15 App. 1 — Okla. Sup. Ct. R. 1.11(a) (am. 2022 OK 93); Okla. Sup. Ct. R. 1.11(b)
Parts of the brief, in order
- Cover — Required · Rule 1.11(c)
- INDEX — Required · Rule 1.11(d)
- SUMMARY OF THE RECORD — Required · Rule 1.11(e)
- ARGUMENT AND AUTHORITIES (Propositions) — Required · Rule 1.11(f)
- CONCLUSION — Required
- CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE — Required
- APPENDIX — If applicable · Rule 1.11(i)
Argument headings: Main contentions set out in separate numbered PROPOSITIONS ('PROPOSITION I: ...'), each followed by argument and authorities; index lists propositions and authorities (Rule 1.11(d),(f)).
Record citations: Record cites by document and page, e.g. (Petition at 17), (Tr. Vol. II at 3-4); original jurisdiction: App. at page
Appendix
Required when applicable. Pages are numbered like App. 12. (Okla. Sup. Ct. R. 1.11(i))
- decision(s) appealed
- authorities not in National Reporter System
- non-Oklahoma statutes/rules
- evidence or instructions complained of
Certificates
- Service: Certificate of service
Good to know
- No direct filing: all civil appeals are filed in the Supreme Court and assigned; Supreme Court briefing rules (Rule 1.11) govern.
- Review of COCA decisions by petition for certiorari to the Supreme Court.
Filing: Filed with Clerk of the Appellate Courts, Oklahoma City (paper covers of 96# stock, left-side spiral/plastic binding per Rule 1.11(c)); e-filing availability not verified
Questions
What font and spacing does the Court of Civil Appeals of the State of Oklahoma require for briefs?
Times New Roman 12 pt, double-spaced; margins: top 1", right 1", bottom 1", left 1.25" (Okla. Sup. Ct. R. 1.11(a) (am. 2022 OK 93)).
How long can an opening brief be in the Court of Civil Appeals of the State of Oklahoma?
30 pages (Okla. Sup. Ct. R. 1.11(b)). Reply brief: 30 pages.
What goes in the appendix?
Appendix: decision(s) appealed; authorities not in National Reporter System; non-Oklahoma statutes/rules; evidence or instructions complained of.