Michigan Supreme Court

Format

Type

Times New Roman 12 pt, 1.5-spaced

Margins

1-inch margins

Opening brief

16,000 words

Reply brief

3,200 words

What counts

Only elements in MCR 7.212(C)(6)-(8) (facts, argument, relief) count, including footnotes and text in embedded graphics

Rules

Michigan Court Rules, Chapter 7 — MCR 7.212(B)(5); MCR 7.212(B)(1)-(2), (G)

Parts of the brief, in order

1. Title page (ORAL ARGUMENT REQUESTED / NOT REQUESTED) — Required · MCR 7.212(C)(1)
2. TABLE OF CONTENTS — Required · MCR 7.212(C)(2)
3. INDEX OF AUTHORITIES — Required · MCR 7.212(C)(3)
4. STATEMENT OF JURISDICTION — Required · MCR 7.212(C)(4)
5. STATEMENT OF QUESTIONS INVOLVED — Required · MCR 7.212(C)(5)
6. STATEMENT OF FACTS — Required · MCR 7.212(C)(6)
7. ARGUMENT — Required · MCR 7.212(C)(7)
8. RELIEF REQUESTED — Required · MCR 7.212(C)(8)
9. Signature block — Required · MCR 7.212(C)(9)
10. Word count statement — Required · MCR 7.212(B)(3)

Argument headings: Argument by issue; for each issue state the standard of review with authority and show preservation with transcript page references.

Standard of review: For each issue, within the argument (MCR 7.212(C)(7)).

Record citations: Page references to transcript/pleadings/appendix (e.g., 12a for appendix page — Michigan convention; not prescribed in text reviewed)

Appendix

Required. Pages are numbered like A12. (MCR 7.312(D), 7.212(J))

• Court of Appeals opinion or order appealed
• trial court judgment/order
• register of actions
• relevant transcript pages
• other documents per MCR 7.212(J)

Individual or joint appendix; statement of facts must cite appendix page numbers (MCR 7.312(B)). Michigan practice cites appendix pages as '12a' (appellant) / '12b' (appellee) — convention, not verified in rule text.

Certificates

• Compliance: Word count statement after signature block (MCR 7.212(B)(3) via 7.312(A))
• Service: Proof of service

Good to know

• Self-represented party without word processing may file typewritten/handwritten brief of max 50 pages (double-spaced).
• Motions to exceed length disfavored; granted only for extraordinary and compelling reasons (MCR 7.212(B)(4)).
• Word count statement placed after the signature block.
• If argument of any one issue exceeds 6,500 words (or 20 pages), a summary of that argument is required (MCR 7.312).
• Printed copies on white unglazed paper, one side; cover of heavy paper.

Filing: MiFILE (appellate courts); text-searchable PDF with bookmarks for appendices