Filing Briefs with the Appellate Court of Maryland

1. Filing of briefs (unless otherwise ordered by the Court):

1. Appellant's brief due within 40 days after the clerk sends notice of the filing of the record.
2. Appellee's brief due 30 days after the filing of the appellant's brief.
3. Appellant's reply brief due within 20 days after the filing of the appellee's brief, but in any event not later than 10 days before the date of argument.
4. File 8 copies of each brief and record extract. (For Electronic Filing, see #5 below).
5. In certain cases a self-represented party may file an informal brief.

2. Covers of briefs:

1. Appellant's brief - yellow
2. Appellee's brief - green
3. Reply brief - red
4. Amicus curiae brief - gray

3. Fonts - Printed and Computer-Generated:

4. Length of briefs (see Rule 8-503(a)):

1. Appellant and Appellee briefs - 9,100 words
2. Reply brief - 3,900 words
3. Pursuant to Rule 8-503(g), the brief must contain a certification of the word count substantially in the following form:

   CERTIFICATION OF WORD COUNT AND COMPLIANCE
   WITH RULE 8-112

   1. This brief contains_____words, excluding the parts of the brief exempted from the word count by Rule 8-503.
   2. This brief complies with the font, spacing, and type size requirements state in Rule 8-112.

   ____________________________________________
   

   Signature

4. The word count can be obtained from either Microsoft Word or WordPerfect by selecting appropriate text and running the word count function for the appropriate software. For instance, in Microsoft Word 2013, highlight the text, click on the REVIEW tab and select the WORD COUNT button. In WordPerfect, select the text to be counted, click on TOOLS, and select WORD COUNT from the drop down menu.

5. Electronic Filing:

This is a brief summary of the rules regarding the filing of briefs. Please refer to Chapter 500 of Title 8 of the Maryland Rules for complete information on the style, formatting and filing of briefs in the Appellate Court of Maryland.