Part VII · Oral Argument

Rule 54. TIME

Amended January 15, 2026 (current)

(1) Time allowed. Unless otherwise provided by the Court, oral argument is limited to 20 minutes for each side except in direct appeals of judgments imposing the death penalty (such cases are docketed with a P in the docket number such as S24P0100) where arguments are limited to 30 minutes for each side. The digital clocks in the courtroom provide a countdown of the time remaining for argument, along with color-coded light cues. The yellow light on the digital clock indicates that five minutes of argument time remain; the red light indicates that time has expired. Counsel is expected to keep time for any rebuttal argument; the Court will not reserve time for counsel's rebuttal.

(2) Related cases. Appeals, cross-appeals, and companion cases shall be considered to be one case for the purpose of oral argument. Parties on 45 the same side of the case must divide the allotted time by agreement among themselves. See Rule 51(5).