Section 124. Form of Papers; Number of Copies

(a) Size and other physical characteristics.—All papers filed in an appellate court shall be on 8 1/2 inch by 11 inch paper and shall comply with the following requirements:

(1) The papers shall be prepared on white paper (except for covers, dividers and similar sheets) of good quality.

(2) The first sheet (except the cover of a brief or reproduced record) shall contain a 3 inch space from the top of the paper for all court stampings, filing notices, etc.

(3) Text must be double spaced, but quotations more than two lines long may be indented and single spaced. Footnotes may be single spaced. Except as provided in subdivision (2), margins must be at least one inch on all four sides.

(4) Lettering shall be clear and legible and no smaller than 14 point in the text and 12 point in footnotes. Lettering shall be on only one side of a page, except that exhibits and similar supporting documents, briefs and reproduced records may be lettered on both sides of a page.

(5) Any metal fasteners or staples must be covered. Originals must be unbound. Copies must be firmly bound.

(6) No backers shall be necessary.

(b) Nonconforming papers.—The prothonotary of an appellate court may accept any nonconforming papers.

(c) Copies.—Except as otherwise prescribed by these rules:

(1) An original of an application for continuance or advancement of a matter shall be filed.

(2) An original and three copies of any other application in the appellate courts shall be filed, but the court may require additional copies.

Official Note

The 2013 amendment increased the minimum text font size from 12 point to 14 point and added a minimum footnote font size of 12 point. This rule requires a clear and legible font. The Supreme, Superior, and Commonwealth Courts use Arial, Verdana, and Times New Roman, respectively, for their opinions. A brief using one of these fonts will be satisfactory.

The provisions of this Rule 124 amended December 11, 1978, effective December 30, 1978, 8 Pa.B. 3802; amended May 24, 1979, effective September 21, 1979, 9 Pa.B. 1853; amended May 16, 2003, effective 60 days after adoption, 33 Pa.B. 2586; amended September 10, 2008, effective December 1, 2008, 38 Pa.B. 5257; amended March 27, 2013, effective and applies to all appeals and petitions for review filed 60 days after adoption, 43 Pa.B. 2007. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (364511).