Rule 32: Form of Briefs, Appendices, and Other Documents

(a) Format. Briefs, appendices, and other documents shall be printed or typewritten. Pages shall be letter size (8 ½ by 11 inches), with margins at least one-inch wide from all edges, and with type or print on only one side of the page. See also Rule 6 (Protection of Privacy).


(b) Type; Spacing. If a proportionally spaced typeface is used, it shall be 13-point or larger. If a monospaced typeface is used, it shall not contain more than 10½ characters per inch. Text shall be double spaced (except that motions and responses under Rule 27(c) (Motions for Procedural Orders) may be single spaced). Quotations of 50 words or more must be single spaced. Footnotes must be single spaced and must conform to the typeface requirements. The parties may not use photo reproduction that reduces print size smaller than the size required by this subsection. This subsection does not apply to pages of an appendix that are legible, unreduced photocopies of documents.


(c) Caption. A document addressed to the Court shall contain a caption setting forth the name of the Court, the Court's case number when assigned, the title of the case, and a brief heading indicating the purpose of the document. Briefs must begin with a separate caption page; a cover is not required. See Form 2 in the Appendix of Forms.


(d) Page Numbers. Pages shall be numbered in the center of the bottom margin, using Arabic numerals for the pages subject to the page limitation and lower case Roman numerals for the table of contents, table of authorities, certificate of service, and any appendix containing superseded statutes, rules and regulations, and unpublished authorities.


(e) Length of Briefs. Except by permission of the Court or as limited by Rule 47 (Expedited Proceedings), principal briefs may not exceed 30 pages and reply briefs may not exceed 15 pages, not counting the table of contents; the table of authorities; any appendix containing superseded statutes, rules, and regulations, and unpublished authorities; and the certificate of service.


(f) Identification. The signature, printed name, address, and telephone number of the representative of record (see Rule 46(a)(3) (Practitioner defined)) or of a self-represented party shall appear on a brief or other document submitted for filing to the Clerk.


(g) Noncompliance. See Rule 45(j) (Noncompliant Submissions).