On January 1, 2016, new regulations will be implemented affecting the presentation and length of documents filed in Maryland's appellate courts. These changes are intended to enhance the readability and standardize the appearance of such documents. The new rules apply to briefs filed in both the Court of Appeals and the Court of Special Appeals, as well as petitions for writ of certiorari in the Court of Appeals.
A key change under these rules is that the length of briefs and petitions will now be measured by word count rather than page numbers. This adjustment requires litigants to certify the number of words contained in their documents.
The specific requirements for appellate briefs are outlined in Maryland Rule 8-503, while Rule-8-303 addresses petitions for writ of certiorari. Compliance with these new standards is detailed in Rule 8-112. A form for Certification of Word Count and Compliance, which must accompany these filings, can be accessed on the Maryland Judiciary website.
Further details about these new requirements, along with certification forms, are available online. More comprehensive information can be found in the rules order filed on September 17, 2015.