Supreme Court of the State of Delaware

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

Format

Type: Times New Roman 14 pt, double-spaced
Margins: 1-inch margins
Opening brief: 10,000 words
Reply brief: 5,500 words
What counts: Word limits for represented parties; unrepresented parties without word processing: 35 pages opening/answering, 20 reply. Cross-appeal: answering/opening 14,000; reply/answering 10,000
Rules: Rules of the Supreme Court of the State of Delaware — Del. Supr. Ct. R. 13(a); Del. Supr. Ct. R. 14(d)

Parts of the brief, in order

Cover — Required · Del. Supr. Ct. R. 13
TABLE OF CONTENTS — Required · Del. Supr. Ct. R. 14(b)(i)
TABLE OF CITATIONS — Required · Del. Supr. Ct. R. 14(b)(ii)
NATURE OF PROCEEDINGS — Required · Del. Supr. Ct. R. 14(b)(iii)
SUMMARY OF ARGUMENT — Required · Del. Supr. Ct. R. 14(b)(iv) (numbered paragraphs)
STATEMENT OF FACTS — Required · Del. Supr. Ct. R. 14(b)(v)
ARGUMENT — Required · Del. Supr. Ct. R. 14(b)(vi)
CONCLUSION — Required · Del. Supr. Ct. R. 14(b)
Order(s)/opinion appealed from (attached) — Required · Del. Supr. Ct. R. 14(b)(vii)
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE — Required · Del. Supr. Ct. R. 14(d)(ii)
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE — Required · Del. Supr. Ct. R. 10

Argument headings: Each argument heading has three subparts: (A) Question Presented with exact appendix page reference where preserved below; (B) Scope of Review; (C) Merits of Argument (Rule 14(b)(vi)(A))

Standard of review: 'Scope of Review' subsection within each argument (Rule 14(b)(vi)(A)(2))

Record citations: Appendix pages: (A12) appellant's; (B34) appellee's; (AR5) reply appendix

Appendix

Required. Pages are numbered like A12. (Del. Supr. Ct. R. 13, 14(e))

paginated table of contents
complete docket entries (chronological, single column)
relevant portions of jury charge
portions of transcript necessary for fair context
evidence supporting challenged findings
other relevant record items

Appellant's appendix pages A-prefixed (A1), appellee's B, reply appendix AR

Certificates

Compliance: Certify brief complies with Times New Roman 14-pt typeface requirement and type-volume limitation; state word count
Service: Certificate of service on all parties

Good to know

All text including footnotes Times New Roman 14 pt
Single-space quotations over 50 words and footnotes
Paper briefs/appendices bound at left margin with transparent plastic cover
Opening brief must attach the order/judgment appealed and trial court's written or transcribed rationale
Follow The Bluebook; no state reporter parallel cites for reported opinions (14(g))
Questions not preserved below generally not considered (Rule 8)

Filing: File & ServeXpress e-filing for attorneys (not verified in rule text)

Questions

What font and spacing does the Supreme Court of the State of Delaware require for briefs?

Times New Roman 14 pt, double-spaced; 1-inch margins (Del. Supr. Ct. R. 13(a)).

How long can an opening brief be in the Supreme Court of the State of Delaware?

10,000 words (Del. Supr. Ct. R. 14(d)). Reply brief: 5,500 words.

What goes in the appendix?

Appendix: paginated table of contents; complete docket entries (chronological, single column); relevant portions of jury charge; portions of transcript necessary for fair context; evidence supporting challenged findings; other relevant record items.