VIII § 2 Order of Arguments

When it's time for oral arguments before the Louisiana Supreme Court, the side that brought the case to the Court (whether they're called the appellant, applicant, or relator) gets to speak first and speak last. This gives them a chance to open the argument and then have the final word after the other side responds.

If there's more than one party on that side, they get to work out between themselves who will open the argument and who will close it. They don't have to decide this until they've had a chance to talk it over.

If those parties can't agree on who goes first and who goes last, the Court will step in and decide for them.