Rule 32 Form of Briefs, Motions, and Other Documents

(a) Form of Briefs.

(1) Form of Electronically Filed Briefs. A brief filed electronically must comply with the following:

(A) File Type. Be in text-searchable PDF in accordance with 2020 V.R.E.F. 7(a) and (b);

(B) Margins. Have margins of not less than one inch;

(C) Page Numbers. Have page numbers in the center of the bottom margin and all pages numbered sequentially so that the electronic page counter and paper numbers are consistent;

(D) Font and Spacing. Be in 13-point proportionally spaced serif font, including footnotes, and use italics or boldface for emphasis, not underlining or all caps. Have 1.2 line spacing, except the following may be single spaced: headings, block quotes, signature block. Be left-aligned, not justified;

(E) Links. Not contain any embedded hyperlinks or internal bookmarks;

(2) Form of Nonelectronically Filed Briefs. A brief filed nonelectronically must comply with the following:

(A) Format. Be clearly legible, with all text visible and dark enough to be readable on a scanned image in accordance with 2020 V.R.E.F. 7(c). Be either all single-sided or all double-sided;

(B) Paper Size. Be on 8 ½ by 11 inch paper;

(C) Binding. Be submitted in unbound form (no staples or other binding).

(3) Cover. The front cover of a brief must contain:

(A) the phrase “In the Supreme Court of the State of Vermont,” and the Supreme Court docket number centered at the top;

(B) the title of the case;

(C) the nature of the proceeding in the Supreme Court;

(D) the name of the court or other tribunal below and the docket number below;

(E) the title of the document, identifying the party or parties for whom it is filed; and

(F) the name, office address, telephone number, and email address of counsel representing the party for whom the brief is filed.

(4) Length. The following word-count limits include in total all text, headings, footnotes, and quotations.

(A) Principal Brief.

(i) A principal brief must not exceed 9000 words.

(ii) An appellee’s principal brief in a cross-appeal must not exceed 12,000 words.

(B) Reply Brief.

(i) A reply brief must not exceed 4500 words.

(ii) An appellant’s reply brief in a case with a cross-appeal must not exceed 6000 words.

(iii) An appellee’s reply brief in a case with a cross-appeal must not exceed 3000 words.

(C) Specific Exclusions from Word-Count Limits. The statement of issues, table of contents, table of authorities, signature blocks, certificate of compliance, and certificate of service do not count toward the word-count limits.

(D) Certificate of Compliance. A brief submitted under this rule must include a statement by the attorney, or self-represented party, certifying that the brief complies with the word-count limit. The person preparing the certificate may rely on the word or line count of the word-processing system used to prepare the brief. The certificate must state the number of words in the brief and identify the word-processing system used.

(b) Format of Motions and Other Documents.

(1) Motions and other documents must be formatted as provided in Rule 32(a)(1) and (2).

(2) A motion must include:

(A) a caption stating the Supreme Court docket number and name of the case; and

(B) a brief descriptive title indicating the purpose of the document and identifying the party or parties for whom it is filed.