Rule 29: Brief of an Amicus Curiae

(a) When Permitted. A brief submitted to the Court by an amicus curiae will be filed by the Clerk only after the Court has granted a motion for leave to file.


(b) Motion for Leave To File. The motion must be accompanied by the proposed brief and state:


(1) the movant's interest and whether all parties consent to the filing of the brief;


(2) why the matters asserted are relevant to the disposition of the case; and


(3) why the Court should grant leave to file the motion.


(c) Time. An amicus curiae must submit the motion for leave to file not later than 7 days after the principal brief of the party being supported is filed unless the Court permits later filing. An amicus curiae that does not support either party must file its brief no later than 7 days after the appellant's or petitioner's principal brief is filed.


(d) Form and Content. An amicus brief must comply with Rules 25 (Filing and Service), 28(a)(1), (2), (5), and (6), 28(h) and (i) (Briefs), 30 (Citation of Certain Authority), and 32 (Form of Briefs, Appendices and Other Documents); state, at the outset of the brief, which party the amicus curiae supports, if any, and the interest of the amicus curiae; and provide a concise statement of the identity of the amicus curiae, its interest in the case, and the source of its authority to file. The brief must avoid repeating the parties' briefs and should focus on the points not made or not emphasized in them.


(e) Length. An amicus brief may be no more that one-half the maximum length authorized by these Rules for a party's principal brief. If the Court grants a party permission to file a longer brief, that extension does not affect the length of an amicus brief.


(f) Reply Brief. An amicus curiae may not file a reply brief.