Supreme Court of Ohio

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

Format

Type: Times New Roman 12 pt, double-spaced
Margins: 1-inch margins
Opening brief: 50 pages
Reply brief: 20 pages
What counts: Excludes cover, TOC, TOA, certificate of service, appendix; memorandum in support of jurisdiction 15 pp. (S.Ct.Prac.R. 7.02)
Rules: Rules of Practice of the Supreme Court of Ohio — S.Ct.Prac.R. 3.09 (per Court filing guide): 12-pt Times New Roman, Cambria, Calibri, Arial or Palatino Linotype; double-spaced; single-sided; S.Ct.Prac.R. 16.02–16.04

Parts of the brief, in order

Cover page — Required · S.Ct.Prac.R. 3.07
TABLE OF CONTENTS — Required · 16.02
TABLE OF AUTHORITIES — Required · 16.02
STATEMENT OF FACTS — Required · 16.02
ARGUMENT (Propositions of Law) — Required · 16.02
CONCLUSION — Required
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE — Required
APPENDIX — Required · 16.02

Argument headings: Argument organized under numbered 'Proposition of Law No. I: ...' headings.

Appendix

Required. Pages are numbered like Appx. 12. (S.Ct.Prac.R. 16.02)

notice of appeal
court of appeals judgment entry and opinion
trial court judgment/opinion
relevant constitutional provisions, statutes, rules

Certificates

Service: Certificate of service

Good to know

Margins not verified.
Based on the Court's official filing guide; rule subsection numbers approximate.

Filing: Supreme Court of Ohio E-Filing Portal (due 11:59:59 p.m.)

Questions

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

Times New Roman 12 pt, double-spaced; 1-inch margins (S.Ct.Prac.R. 3.09 (per Court filing guide): 12-pt Times New Roman, Cambria, Calibri, Arial or Palatino Linotype; double-spaced; single-sided).

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

50 pages (S.Ct.Prac.R. 16.02–16.04). Reply brief: 20 pages.

What goes in the appendix?

Appendix: notice of appeal; court of appeals judgment entry and opinion; trial court judgment/opinion; relevant constitutional provisions, statutes, rules.