Vermont Supreme Court

Format

Type

Times New Roman 13 pt, 1.2× spacing

Margins

1-inch margins

Opening brief

No fixed limit found

Reply brief

No fixed limit found

What counts

Word limits in V.R.A.P. 32(a)(4); brief must include word count (32(a)(4)(D)); numbers not verified

Rules

Vermont Rules of Appellate Procedure (V.R.A.P.) — V.R.A.P. 32 (13-pt font, 1.2 line spacing per Vt. Bar J. article; rule text not read); V.R.A.P. 32(a)(4)

Parts of the brief, in order

1. Cover sheet — Required · V.R.A.P. 32(a)(2)
2. STATEMENT OF THE ISSUES — Required · V.R.A.P. 28(a)
3. TABLE OF CONTENTS — Required · V.R.A.P. 28(a)
4. TABLE OF AUTHORITIES — Required · V.R.A.P. 28(a)
5. STATEMENT OF THE CASE — Required · V.R.A.P. 28(a)
6. ARGUMENT — Required · V.R.A.P. 28(a)
7. CONCLUSION — Required · V.R.A.P. 28(a)
8. CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE — Required · V.R.A.P. 32(a)
9. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE — Required

Record citations: (PC 12) printed case; transcript/appeal volume cites by convention

Printed Case

Required when applicable. Pages are numbered like PC12. (V.R.A.P. 30)

• trial court docket entries / record of actions
• judgment or decision appealed from
• relevant pleadings, findings, opinions

Printed case not required where electronic appeal volumes exist; still required for most agency appeals. Must be filed with principal brief (30(e), eff. July 1, 2025)

Certificates

• Compliance: Brief must state its word count (V.R.A.P. 32(a)(4)(D))
• Service: Certificate of service

Good to know

• Appellee brief need not include statement of the case
• Embedded hyperlinks/bookmarks barred by V.R.A.P. 32(a)(1)(E); internal links permitted from Jan. 1, 2027
• Official V.R.A.P. text is published via Lexis only; word limits, margins, and typeface not verified

Filing: Vermont Judiciary electronic filing system (eFiling); email to supremecourt@vtcourts.gov also accepted per court site