Supreme Court of New Jersey

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

Format

Type: Times New Roman 14 pt, double-spaced
Margins: 1-inch margins
Opening brief: 50 pages
Reply brief: 15 pages
What counts: R. 2:6-7 limits exclude tables; petition for certification max 20 pp. exclusive of tables and appendix (R. 2:12-7); Supreme Court merits reply max 15 pp. (R. 2:6-11)
Rules: New Jersey Court Rules, Part II — R. 2:6-10(a),(b) (am. eff. 9/1/2022); R. 2:6-7; R. 2:6-11; R. 2:12-7

Parts of the brief, in order

Cover — Required · R. 2:6-6
TABLE OF CONTENTS — Required · R. 2:6-2(a)(1)
TABLE OF JUDGMENTS, ORDERS AND RULINGS BEING APPEALED — Required · R. 2:6-2(a)(2)
TABLE OF AUTHORITIES — Required · R. 2:6-2(a)(3)
PRELIMINARY STATEMENT — Optional · R. 2:6-2(a)(7)
PROCEDURAL HISTORY — Required · R. 2:6-2(a)(4)
STATEMENT OF FACTS — Required · R. 2:6-2(a)(5)
LEGAL ARGUMENT — Required · R. 2:6-2(a)(6)
CONCLUSION — Required
Signature block — Required

Argument headings: Same R. 2:6-2 point-heading format as Appellate Division ('POINT I' headings reproduced in TOC). Petition for certification must contain: statement of matter involved, question presented, errors complained of, reasons certification should be allowed, comments on Appellate Division opinion (R. 2:12-7(a)).

Record citations: Same as R. 2:6-8 (Da12, 1T8-3); Supreme Court often cites Appellate Division briefs e.g. 'Db5'

Appendix

Required. Pages are numbered like Da12. (R. 2:6-1; R. 2:12-7(b))

notice of petition/appeal
Appellate Division opinion and judgment
trial court opinions
other record items per R. 2:6-1

Petition must annex notice of petition, lower-court written opinions, relevant oral opinion transcripts.

Certificates

Service: Proof of service
Petition for certification: certification that petition presents substantial question and is filed in good faith (R. 2:12-7)

Good to know

After certification is granted, parties may file supplemental briefs; limits set by R. 2:12-11 or Clerk's order — not verified.
R. 2:6-11 amended Feb. 10, 2026 restructuring Supreme Court briefing; verify current text.

Filing: eCourts Supreme Court e-filing. Merits briefing (as amended Feb. 10, 2026): appellant 40 days from order, respondent 30 days after, reply 24 days after (R. 2:6-11).

Questions

What font and spacing does the Supreme Court of New Jersey require for briefs?

Times New Roman 14 pt, double-spaced; 1-inch margins (R. 2:6-10(a),(b) (am. eff. 9/1/2022)).

How long can an opening brief be in the Supreme Court of New Jersey?

50 pages (R. 2:6-7; R. 2:6-11; R. 2:12-7). Reply brief: 15 pages.

What goes in the appendix?

Appendix: notice of petition/appeal; Appellate Division opinion and judgment; trial court opinions; other record items per R. 2:6-1.