Rule 18. DOCUMENTS: PAPER FILINGS

(1) All documents submitted in paper format with the Court shall be printed, mechanically typed, or handwritten on letter size (8 1/2″ x 11″) non-transparent white paper. Documents should not contain tabs, colored sheets of paper, or binding and should not be stapled.

(2) Paper documents that are printed or mechanically typed shall have not less than 1.2x spacing and no more than double spacing between the lines of text, except that block quotations, headings, captions, or footnotes may use single spacing; paper documents that are handwritten shall have line spacing that allows for easy readability. Margins shall be no less than one inch at the top, bottom and sides. Rule 19. BRIEFS: ENUMERATION OF ERRORS AND JURISDICTIONAL STATEMENT.

(1) Appellant's Brief. An appellant's brief will usually be most helpful to the Court if it includes the items listed below, under appropriate headings and in the order indicated. At a minimum, the appellant's brief must include items (c), (d), (e), and (g).

(a) For briefs of significant length or complexity, a table of contents and a table of cited authorities, each with page references.

(b) A concise introduction setting out the key issues and arguments on appeal.

(c) A concise jurisdictional statement, which must identify:

(i) The basis for this Court's appellate jurisdiction. See, e.g., OCGA §§ 5-6-34 and 5-6-35.

(ii) The basis for the Supreme Court having jurisdiction instead of the Court of Appeals. See, e.g., Ga. Const. of 1983, Art. VI, Sec. VI, Pars. II, III; OCGA § 15-3-3.1. If a party contends that this Court has jurisdiction because of a constitutional question, its jurisdictional statement shall contain record citations indicating where the constitutional question was raised below and where the trial court ruled on it. 22

(iii) The filing dates establishing that the appeal is timely. See, e.g., OCGA §§ 5-6-38 and 5-6-39.

(d) An enumeration of errors, which shall set out separately each error relied upon. See OCGA § 5-6-40. In an appeal in which this Court granted certiorari review, this item should instead list the questions presented by the Court in its order granting the writ of certiorari.

(e) A statement of the case that sets out the material facts relevant to the appeal, describes the relevant proceedings below, and identifies how the error(s) in question were preserved for review, with appropriate citations to the record.

(f) For briefs of significant length or complexity, a summary of argument that presents, plainly and concisely, each argument in the order presented in the body of the brief. An effective summary will not merely repeat the argument headings.

(g) The argument, which must cite the authorities relied on and include a concise statement of the applicable standard(s) of review, and which should generally follow the order of the enumeration of errors. Point headings that identify and organize arguments are encouraged.

(2) Appellee's Brief. An appellee's brief will usually be most helpful to the Court if it follows the arrangement set out in Rule 19 (1) except for item (d). Items (c) and (e) may be omitted if the appellee is satisfied with their presentation by the appellant. If an appellee disagrees with the appellant's statement of the case in whole or in part, the appellee must identify any points of disagreement with supporting citations to the record.

(3) Reply Brief. If the appellant chooses to file a reply brief, the brief need only include item (g) listed in Rule 19 (1). For reply briefs of significant length or complexity, including items (a) and (b) is encouraged. Reply briefs may not be used to expand the enumeration of errors. 23