Rule 14. Length and Form of Briefs

(a) Length of Briefs

(1) Opening Briefs and Answering Briefs must not exceed 14,000 words

(2) Reply Briefs must not exceed 7,000 words

(3) Combined Briefs Involving a Cross-Appeal The length of each separate portion in combined briefs involving a cross-appeal must not exceed the number of words that each of the separate briefs may contain.

(4) Amicus Curiae Briefs or Responses to Amicus Curiae Briefs must not exceed 12,000 words

(5) Certificate of Compliance Every brief must be accompanied by a certificate that confirms compliance with the applicable word limit. Form 2 is a template certificate of compliance. A party preparing a certificate of compliance may rely on the word count of the word processing system used to prepare the brief if it counts the required words including any footnotes.

(b) Form Paper and electronic briefs must comply with the format requirements of Rule 4(a)--(c). The first page of a brief must include a caption that is substantially the same as shown in Form 4.

(c) Briefs Filed in Paper A party permitted to file a brief in paper must securely bind the brief (for example, the pages of the brief may be clipped or banded), but the binding must not use adhesives. The Supreme Court and Division One discourage the use of devices such as staples or two-pronged fasteners that perforate the pages of the brief.