Supreme Court of Rhode Island

Brief and appendix rules we apply — State appeal, $299.

Format

Type: Times New Roman 14 pt, double-spaced
Margins: 1-inch margins
Opening brief: 15,000 words
Reply brief: 7,500 words
What counts: Unless otherwise ordered; Rule 12A prebriefing statements 3,000 words
Rules: Supreme Court Rules, Article I. Appellate Procedure (rev. Feb. 17, 2026) — Art. I, Rule 18; Art. I, Rule 16; Rule 12A

Parts of the brief, in order

Cover — Required · Rule 18
TABLE OF AUTHORITIES — Required · Rule 16
STATEMENT OF FACTS AND PRIOR PROCEEDINGS — Required · Rule 16(a)
ISSUES PRESENTED / ERRORS CLAIMED — Required · Rule 16(a)
ARGUMENT — Required · Rule 16(a)
CONCLUSION — Required · Rule 16(a)
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE — Required

Argument headings: Questions numbered, each with applicable standard of review and supporting authorities (Rule 16(a)).

Standard of review: With each numbered question in the argument (Rule 16(a))

Appendix

Required. Pages are numbered like A12. (Art. I, Rule 17)

docket entries
pleadings
judgment/order appealed
other record portions requiring the Court's attention (with transcript cover sheets and witness index)

Separately paginated with section demarcations (2026 amendments).

Certificates

Service: Certificate of service

Good to know

Two-stage practice: Rule 12A prebriefing statements (3,000 words) then show-cause conference; full briefing only if the case is assigned to the full-argument calendar.
2026 amendments eff. Jan. 6, 2026 (Rules 6-34 incl. 12A, 16, 17, 18).
Brief contents order from secondary summary; verify.

Filing: RI Judiciary e-filing; hard copies within 5 days of acceptance (9 copies of briefs/statements, 6 of appendices)

Questions

What font and spacing does the Supreme Court of Rhode Island require for briefs?

Times New Roman 14 pt, double-spaced; 1-inch margins (Art. I, Rule 18).

How long can an opening brief be in the Supreme Court of Rhode Island?

15,000 words (Art. I, Rule 16; Rule 12A). Reply brief: 7,500 words.

What goes in the appendix?

Appendix: docket entries; pleadings; judgment/order appealed; other record portions requiring the Court's attention (with transcript cover sheets and witness index).