As amended through September 26, 2024
Rule 5A:4 - Forms of Briefs and Other Papers(a)Paper Size, Line Spacing, Font, and Margins. - Briefs, appendices, motions, petitions, and other documents may be printed or produced on screen by any process that yields a clear black image on a white background and, when printed, must be on pages 8-1/2 x 11-inch paper. Except by leave of Court, all motions, petitions, and briefs, including footnotes, must use one of the font styles listed on the Court's website, must be in at least 14-point font, and must be printed on only one side of the page. Text may not be reduced, and must be double-spaced except for headings, assignments of error, quotations that exceed 49 words, and footnotes. Margins must be at least one inch on all four sides of each page. The use of condensed or multi-page transcripts is prohibited.(b)Binding and Cover. - All briefs, appendices, petitions for rehearing, and petitions for rehearing en banc filed by a litigant permitted to file non-electronically under Rule 5A:1(c) must be bound on the left margin in such a manner as to produce a flat, smooth binding. Spiral binding, Acco fasteners, and the like are not acceptable. The front cover of all petitions for appeal, briefs, appendices, petitions for rehearing, and petitions for rehearing en banc must contain the style of the case (with the name of the petitioner/appellant stated first) and the record number of the case and the name, Virginia State Bar number, mailing address, telephone number (including any applicable extension), facsimile number (if any), and email address of counsel submitting the document.(c)Effect of Non-compliance. - No appeal will be dismissed for failure to comply with the provisions of this Rule; however, the clerk of this Court may require that a document be redone in compliance with this Rule. However, failure to comply after notice of noncompliance may result in the dismissal of the case.(d)Certificate of Compliance with Word Count Limit. - Any brief, motion, petition, or other document that has a word count limit in these Rules must include a certificate by the attorney, or unrepresented party, that the document complies with the applicable word count limit. The person preparing the certificate may rely on the word count of the word-processing system used to prepare the document. The certificate must state the number of words the document contains, excluding those parts specifically exempted by these Rules. Amended by Order dated Friday, April 30, 2010, effective 7/1/2010; amended by Order dated 4/10/2015; effective 7/1/2015; amended by Order dated Friday, April 26, 2019, effective 7/1/2019; amended by order dated September 3, 2020, effective 9/3/2020; amended by order dated November 23, 2020, effective 3/1/2021; amended by order dated April 1, 2021, effective 6/1/2021; amended by order dated November 1, 2021, effective 1/1/2022.