Rule 31 Serving and Filing Briefs

(a) Time to Serve and File a Brief.

(1) The appellant must serve and file a brief within 40 days after the record is filed. The appellee must serve and file a brief within 30 days after the appellant’s brief is served. The appellant may serve and file a reply brief within 14 days after service of the appellee’s brief but a reply brief must be filed at least 3 days before argument, unless the court, for good cause, allows a later filing.

(2) The Court may, upon motion or sua sponte, order an expedited briefing schedule and shorten the time to serve and file briefs. The Court may extend time to serve and file a brief or permit a party to serve and file a late brief upon motion pursuant to Rule 31-1.

(b) [Reserved]

(c) Consequence of Failure to File. If an appellant fails to timely file a brief, an appellee may move to dismiss the appeal. An appellee who fails to file a brief will not be heard at oral argument unless the Court grants permission.