North Carolina Court of Appeals

Format

Type

Times New Roman 12 pt, double-spaced

Margins

1-inch margins

Opening brief

8,750 words

Reply brief

3,750 words

What counts

Includes footnotes and citations in body; excludes cover, captions, index, tables, certificates, signature blocks, appendixes

Rules

North Carolina Rules of Appellate Procedure (codified 2 Sept. 2025) — N.C. R. App. P. 26(g); N.C. R. App. P. 28(j)

Parts of the brief, in order

1. Cover page — Required · Rule 28(b)(1)
2. INDEX — Required · Rule 26(g); 28(b)(1)
3. TABLE OF CASES AND AUTHORITIES — Required · Rule 28(b)(1)
4. ISSUES PRESENTED — Required · Rule 28(b)(2)
5. STATEMENT OF THE CASE — Required · Rule 28(b)(3)
6. STATEMENT OF THE GROUNDS FOR APPELLATE REVIEW — Required · Rule 28(b)(4)
7. STATEMENT OF THE FACTS — Required · Rule 28(b)(5)
8. ARGUMENT — Required · Rule 28(b)(6)
9. CONCLUSION — Required · Rule 28(b)(7)
10. Signature block — Required · Rule 28(b)(8)
11. CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE — If applicable · Rule 28(j)
12. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE — Required · Rule 28(b)(9); 26(d)
13. APPENDIX — If applicable · Rule 28(b)(10), 28(d)

Argument headings: Argument organized by issue with headings matching the Issues Presented; each issue must include a concise statement of the applicable standard(s) of review with citation (Rule 28(b)(6)).

Standard of review: For each issue, in the argument, with citation of authority (Rule 28(b)(6))

Record citations: (R p 12); (T p 34) or (T 34:5)

Appendix to brief

Required when applicable. Pages are numbered like App. 12. (Rule 28(d))

• transcript portions essential to issues (when narration not used)
• relevant statutes, rules, regulations

Required when the brief relies on transcript portions (verbatim transcript appeals) unless exceptions apply; record on appeal is a separately settled printed record.

Certificates

• Compliance: Counsel certifies brief complies with word limit (Rule 28(j))
• Service: Certificate of service (Rule 26(d))

Good to know

• Font: proportionally spaced serif font 12–14 pt; lines no wider than 6.5 in. (Rule 26(g)).
• Documents over 10 pages require subject index and table of authorities (Rule 26(g)).
• Record on appeal is settled and filed before briefing (Rules 9–12).

Filing: NC Appellate Courts electronic filing site (appellate.nccourts.org)