Michigan Court of Appeals

Brief and appendix rules we apply — State appeal, $299.

Format

Type: Times New Roman 12 pt, 1.5-spaced
Margins: 1-inch margins
Opening brief: 16,000 words
Reply brief: 3,200 words
What counts: Only elements in MCR 7.212(C)(6)-(8) (facts, argument, relief) count, including footnotes and text in embedded graphics
Rules: Michigan Court Rules, Chapter 7 — MCR 7.212(B)(5); MCR 7.212(B)(1)-(2), (G)

Parts of the brief, in order

Title page (ORAL ARGUMENT REQUESTED / NOT REQUESTED) — Required · MCR 7.212(C)(1)
TABLE OF CONTENTS — Required · MCR 7.212(C)(2)
INDEX OF AUTHORITIES — Required · MCR 7.212(C)(3)
STATEMENT OF JURISDICTION — Required · MCR 7.212(C)(4)
STATEMENT OF QUESTIONS INVOLVED — Required · MCR 7.212(C)(5)
STATEMENT OF FACTS — Required · MCR 7.212(C)(6)
ARGUMENT — Required · MCR 7.212(C)(7)
RELIEF REQUESTED — Required · MCR 7.212(C)(8)
Signature block — Required · MCR 7.212(C)(9)
Word count statement — Required · MCR 7.212(B)(3)

Argument headings: Argument by issue; for each issue state the standard of review with authority and show preservation with transcript page references.

Standard of review: For each issue, within the argument (MCR 7.212(C)(7)).

Record citations: Page references to transcript/pleadings/appendix (e.g., 12a for appendix page — Michigan convention; not prescribed in text reviewed)

Appendix

Required. Pages are numbered like A12. (MCR 7.212(J))

cover page
table of contents
register of actions
judgment or order(s) appealed from
relevant transcript pages (with context)
jury instructions (if challenged)
other documents necessary for review

Not required in criminal, child protective, delinquency, adoption, and involuntary mental-health cases; pages numbered sequentially at the bottom; text-searchable PDF with bookmarks.

Certificates

Compliance: Statement after signature block of the number of countable words
Service: Proof of service per MCR 7.204/1.109 (confirm)

Good to know

Self-represented party without word processing may file typewritten/handwritten brief of max 50 pages (double-spaced).
Motions to exceed length disfavored; granted only for extraordinary and compelling reasons (MCR 7.212(B)(4)).
Word count statement placed after the signature block.

Filing: MiFILE (appellate courts); text-searchable PDF with bookmarks for appendices

Questions

What font and spacing does the Michigan Court of Appeals require for briefs?

Times New Roman 12 pt, 1.5-spaced; 1-inch margins (MCR 7.212(B)(5)).

How long can an opening brief be in the Michigan Court of Appeals?

16,000 words (MCR 7.212(B)(1)-(2), (G)). Reply brief: 3,200 words.

What goes in the appendix?

Appendix: cover page; table of contents; register of actions; judgment or order(s) appealed from; relevant transcript pages (with context); jury instructions (if challenged); other documents necessary for review.