Adoption 101: The Legal Fundamentals

3 Surprising Restrictions For Supreme Court Briefs

4 October 2022

Brayden Miles

The Supreme Court is the highest authority in the United States. Only a small percentage of the cases presented to the Supreme Court are actually adjudicated, so it's essential that you don't make minor mistakes that could compromise your ability to have your case heard.

The formatting and presentation of your brief can make or break your case. It's important that you work closely with a Supreme Court printing expert when preparing your documents to ensure that even the most surprising restrictions are met. 

1. Word Count

Any brief that is filed with the Supreme Court must adhere to a maximum word count restriction. The only types of text within a brief that are excluded from the word count are the list of parties, the table of contents, corporate disclosures, appendices, the list of questions, the table of citations, and any block quotations that include constitutional provisions and regulations that are pertinent to the case.

The Supreme Court is so strict about its word count restrictions that a certified note stating the brief does not exceed the allowed maximum word count must accompany every brief that is filed. A printing expert can help you ensure that your brief will not be thrown out for failing to meet the word count stipulation.

2. Font

Font selection is always a critical part of formatting any document. You may be surprised to learn that the Supreme Court requires the use of a very particular font. All briefs must be submitted in the same font used by the Supreme Court when issuing written opinions. This font is named Century Schoolbook. It is believed that the fonts within the Century family maximize readability and retention. Since the Supreme Court Justices read through many thousands of pages each day, it makes sense that they would want the materials they read to be in a font conducive to readability and retention.

3. Cover Color

The color of the paper on which you print certain parts of your Supreme Court brief must meet exact specifications. The most important of these specifications applies to the cover page of any brief. Specific colors are assigned to specific types of briefs.

This color-coded system makes it very easy for staff members to sort briefs and for any justice to locate the type of brief they need. A Supreme Court printing company will be familiar with the current color-coding requirements and can help you ensure your cover is in compliance. 

Contact a Supreme Court printing professional to learn more. 

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