Format, length, required sections and appendix rules — and a brief formatted to them for $299.
In Virginia, most appeals are decided by the Court of Appeals of Virginia, and the Supreme Court of Virginia is the court of last resort. Each court has its own rules for how a brief must look and what it must contain.
| Court | Type | Margins | Opening brief | Reply | Appendix |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Court of Appeals of Virginia | Times New Roman 14 pt, double-spaced | 1-inch margins | 12,300 words or 50 pages | 3,500 words or 20 pages | Appendix · App. 12 |
| Supreme Court of Virginia | Times New Roman 14 pt, double-spaced | 1-inch margins | 8,750 words or 50 pages | 2,625 words or 15 pages | Appendix · App. 12 |
Rules profiles reviewed September 2026. Court rules change — confirm the current rules with the clerk.
Intermediate appellate court — hears appeals from circuit courts (civil appeals of right since 2022, criminal, domestic relations) and certain agencies (e.g. Workers' Compensation Commission)
TABLE OF CONTENTS · TABLE OF AUTHORITIES · STATEMENT OF THE CASE · ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR · STATEMENT OF FACTS · STANDARD OF REVIEW · ARGUMENT · CONCLUSION · Signature block · CERTIFICATE
Court of last resort — hears appeals from court of Appeals of Virginia and certain circuit court matters, by petition for appeal
TABLE OF CONTENTS · TABLE OF AUTHORITIES · STATEMENT OF THE CASE · ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR · STANDARD OF REVIEW AND ARGUMENT · CONCLUSION · Signature block · CERTIFICATE
Times New Roman 14 pt, double-spaced; 1-inch margins; opening brief limit 12,300 words or 50 pages.
Appendix: required when applicable.
Opening brief: 8,750 words or 50 pages; reply brief: 2,625 words or 15 pages.
Yes. Upload your draft and record documents, choose the court, and pay once ($299). You get the brief and appendix in Word and PDF, formatted to that court’s rules.
Upload it with your record documents. We put it in the court’s required form and build the appendix — Word and PDF, $299.
Start your appeal