Supreme Court 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: 8,400 words
What counts: Includes footnotes; same exclusions as rule 8.204(c)(3). Typewritten: 50 / 30 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 8.520(c)

Parts of the brief, in order

Cover — Required · rules 8.40, 8.204(b)(10)
TABLE OF CONTENTS — Required · rule 8.204(a)(1)(A) via 8.520(b)
TABLE OF AUTHORITIES — Required · rule 8.204(a)(1)(A) via 8.520(b)
ISSUE(S) PRESENTED — Required · rule 8.520(b)(2) (quote order specifying issues, or issues in petition/answer)
INTRODUCTION — Optional · customary
STATEMENT OF THE CASE — Required · rule 8.204(a)(2)
ARGUMENT — Required · rule 8.204(a)(1)(B)
CONCLUSION — Required · customary
CERTIFICATE OF WORD COUNT — Required · rule 8.520(c)
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

None (record from Court of Appeal)

Optional. Pages are numbered like 1 AA 12.

Cite the Court of Appeal record by volume and page

Certificates

Compliance: Certificate stating the number of words
Service: Proof of service
Certificate of interested entities (rule 8.208 applies via 8.520 as relevant; verify)

Good to know

Brief must begin by quoting the order specifying issues or the petition's issue statement (8.520(b)(2))
Petition for review limited to 8,400 words (rule 8.504(d)) - not verified in this pass
Death-penalty appeals governed by rule 8.630 (different limits)
E-filing format per rule 8.74 (Century Schoolbook preferred, left-aligned)

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 Supreme Court 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 Supreme Court of California?

14,000 words (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.520(c)). Reply brief: 8,400 words.

What goes in the appendix?

None (record from Court of Appeal): .