La. Uni. R. Ct. Appeal. 2-12.2

As amended through October 31, 2024

Rule 2-12.2 - Preparation of Briefs

A. Briefs may be printed, typewritten, or produced by any copying or duplicating process which produces a clear black image on white paper. Illegible copies and photocopies are not acceptable. Briefs may be typewritten or otherwise acceptably produced on either letter or legal-size, white, unglazed, opaque paper, with a margin of 1 inch on each side, using only one side of each page. The text of briefs shall be double-spaced except for matters which are customarily single-spaced. The pages in the briefs shall be numbered consecutively.

B. The language used in the brief shall be courteous, free from vile, obscene, obnoxious, or offensive expressions, and free from insulting, abusive, discourteous, or irrelevant matter or criticism of any person, class of persons or association of persons, or any court, or judge or other officer thereof, or of any institution. Any violation of this Subsection shall subject the author, or authors, of the brief to punishment for contempt of court, and to having such brief returned.

C. The preparation of briefs submitted in appeals shall be subject to the following requirements and limitations:

(1) Original appellant and appellee briefs on paper measuring 81/2 inches by 14 inches shall not exceed thirty-one pages; reply briefs on such paper shall not exceed thirteen pages. Original appellant and appellee briefs on paper measuring 81/2 inches by 11 inches shall not exceed forty-one pages; reply briefs on such paper shall not exceed eighteen pages. These limitations do not include pages containing:

(a) the cover inscription required by Rule 2-12.3;

(b) the table of contents required by Rule 2-12.4A(1) and Rule 2-12.5;

(c)the table of authorities required by Rule 2-12.4A(2) and Rule 2-12.5;

(d) a copy of the judgment, order, or ruling complained of, and a copy of either the trial judge's written reasons for judgment, transcribed oral reasons for judgment, or minute entry of the reasons, if given, required by Rule 2-12.4B(1); and

(e) the certificate of service required by Rule 2-14.2.

(2) The size type in all briefs shall be:

(a) Times New Roman 14 point or larger computer font, normal spacing; or

(b) no more than 10 characters per inch typewriter print. A margin of at least one inch at the top and bottom of each page shall be maintained. Footnotes may be single-spaced but shall not be used to circumvent the spirit of this Rule.

(3) A motion for leave to file a brief in excess of the page limitation of this Rule shall be filed in advance of the due date of the brief. Such a motion shall be granted only for extraordinary and compelling reasons and shall have no effect on the due date of the brief.

La. Uni. R. Ct. Appeal. 2-12.2

Amended April 3, 1986, effective 7/1/1986; amended October 5, 1992; amended October 3, 1994, effective 1/1/1995; amended March 22, 2001, effective 1/1/2002; amended October 7, 2013, effective 1/1/2014; amended May 2, 2022, effective 1/1/2023; amended April 13, 2023, effective 7/1/2023.