Louisiana Court of Appeal

Format

Type

Times New Roman 14 pt, double-spaced

Margins

1-inch margins

Opening brief

41 pages

Reply brief

18 pages

What counts

Letter paper: 41 pp original / 18 pp reply; legal paper: 31 / 13. Excludes cover, TOC, table of authorities, copy of judgment, Rule 2-14.2 certificate of service.

Rules

Uniform Rules of Louisiana Courts of Appeal — Unif. R. 2-12.2; Unif. R. 2-12.2

Parts of the brief, in order

1. Cover — Required · Unif. R. 2-12.3
2. TABLE OF CONTENTS — Required · Unif. R. 2-12.4(A)(1)
3. TABLE OF AUTHORITIES — Required · Unif. R. 2-12.4(A)(2)
4. JURISDICTIONAL STATEMENT — Required · Unif. R. 2-12.4(A)(3)
5. STATEMENT OF THE CASE — Required · Unif. R. 2-12.4(A)(4)
6. ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR — Required · Unif. R. 2-12.4(A)(5)
7. ISSUES PRESENTED FOR REVIEW — Required · Unif. R. 2-12.4(A)(6)
8. STATEMENT OF FACTS — Required · Unif. R. 2-12.4(A)(7)
9. SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT — Required · Unif. R. 2-12.4(A)(8)
10. ARGUMENT — Required · Unif. R. 2-12.4(A)(9)
11. CONCLUSION — Required · Unif. R. 2-12.4(A)(10)
12. Signature block — Required
13. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE — Required · Unif. R. 2-14.2
14. Appended judgment and reasons for judgment — Required · Unif. R. 2-12.4(B)

Argument headings: Argument addresses each assignment of error/issue with record page references; for each, state standard of review and (where needed) that an objection/proffer was made with record pages. All assignments must be briefed or are deemed abandoned.

Standard of review: For each assignment/issue, in the discussion or under a separate heading before it (2-12.4(A)(9)(b)).

Record citations: Specific record page numbers, conventionally (R. p. 123)

Appended judgment

Required. Pages are numbered like A12. (Unif. R. 2-12.4(B))

• judgment, order, or ruling complained of
• trial court's written reasons, transcribed oral reasons, or minute entry of reasons (if given)

Certificates

• Service: Certificate of service per Rule 2-14.2

Good to know

• Font: Times New Roman 14 pt or larger, normal spacing (as amended eff. July 1, 2023); or typewriter ≤10 cpi.
• Footnotes may be single-spaced but may not circumvent the page limits.
• Appellee may omit jurisdiction, case statement, etc. unless dissatisfied (2-12.5); reply strictly rebuttal (2-12.6).
• Each circuit has additional local rules.

Filing: Each circuit operates its own e-filing portal; check circuit local rules.