Yes, Courts Can Count—And So Should Appellate Counsel

Pennsylvania appellate courts will count the words of a brief— particularly if provoked by blatant rules violation. Such violations can result in anything from adverse comments in opinions, to (in extreme cases) the entire brief being stricken, or loss of the appeal altogether.

November 02, 2023 at 11:59 AM

6 minute read

Civil Appeals

James M. Beck

According to Pa. R.A.P. 2135(a)(1), the maximum word count for briefs in ordinary appeals is 14,000 words, and for reply briefs, 7,000 words. This rule specifies other word counts for principal briefs in cross-appeals, and for briefs in criminal cases involving capital punishment. See Rule 2135(a) (2-4). Petitions for allowance of appeal to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court are limited to 9,000 words. The word count for amici curiae is half that of parties, unless a court orders otherwise.