Utah Supreme Court
Brief and appendix rules we apply — State appeal, $299.
Format
- Type
- Times New Roman 13 pt, double-spaced
- Margins
- 1-inch margins
- Opening brief
- 14,000 words or 30 pages
- Reply brief
- 7,000 words or 15 pages
- What counts
- Page limits OR word limits. Headings, footnotes, quotations count; TOC, table of authorities, addendum, certificates excluded. Death-sentence cases: 28,000/60 principal, 14,000/30 reply
- Rules
- Utah Rules of Appellate Procedure (URAP) — URAP 27 (eff. May 1, 2026: plain and legible typeface, 13-pt+ text and footnotes, double-spaced except matter customarily single-spaced and indented, 1-in. margins); URAP 24(g)
Parts of the brief, in order
- Cover — Required · URAP 27
- LIST OF ALL PARTIES — Required · URAP 24(a)(1)
- TABLE OF CONTENTS — Required · URAP 24(a)(2)
- TABLE OF AUTHORITIES — Required · URAP 24(a)(3)
- INTRODUCTION — Required · URAP 24(a)(4)
- STATEMENT OF THE ISSUES — Required · URAP 24(a)(5)
- STATEMENT OF THE CASE — Required · URAP 24(a)(6)
- SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT — Required · URAP 24(a)(7)
- ARGUMENT — Required · URAP 24(a)(8)
- CLAIM FOR ATTORNEY FEES — If applicable · URAP 24(a)(9)
- CONCLUSION — Required · URAP 24(a)(10)
- CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE — Required · URAP 24(a)(11)
- CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE — Required · URAP 21
- ADDENDUM — Required · URAP 24(a)(12)
Argument headings: Argument explains with reasoned analysis supported by authority and record citations why the party should prevail
Standard of review: In the Statement of the Issues: for each issue, the standard of appellate review with supporting authority and a record citation showing preservation (URAP 24(a)(5))
Record citations: (R. 123) - page of record as marked by the clerk (URAP 24)
Addendum
Required. Pages are numbered like A12. (URAP 24(a)(12))
- constitutional provisions, statutes, rules, regulations of central importance
- order/judgment under review
- central record materials
Certificates
- Compliance: Certifies compliance with 24(g) page/word limits (may rely on word processor count) and URAP 21 public/non-public records requirements
- Service: Certificate of service per URAP 21
Good to know
- Reply brief: TOC, TOA, argument, conclusion, certificate; limited to responding to appellee's brief
- Case names italicized or underlined
- Appellee brief follows same content rules
Filing: Electronic filing for attorneys; paper merits briefs double-sided on 20-lb paper, secured with binder clip (URAP 27)
Questions
What font and spacing does the Utah Supreme Court require for briefs?
Times New Roman 13 pt, double-spaced; 1-inch margins (URAP 27 (eff. May 1, 2026: plain and legible typeface, 13-pt+ text and footnotes, double-spaced except matter customarily single-spaced and indented, 1-in. margins)).
How long can an opening brief be in the Utah Supreme Court?
14,000 words or 30 pages (URAP 24(g)). Reply brief: 7,000 words or 15 pages.
What goes in the appendix?
Addendum: constitutional provisions, statutes, rules, regulations of central importance; order/judgment under review; central record materials.