Rule 2135. Length of Briefs.

 (a)  General Rule. Unless otherwise provided by an appellate court:

   (1)  a principal brief shall not exceed 70 pages of production when produced on a word processor/computer or typewriter.

   (2)  a reply brief shall not exceed 25 pages of production when produced on a word processor/computer or typewriter.

 (b)  Supplementary Matter. Pages containing the table of contents, tables of citations and any addendum containing opinions, etc., or any other similar supplementary matter provided for by these rules shall not count against the page limitations set forth in subdivision (a) of this rule.

   Official Note—2003

   The 2003 amendment eliminates a confusing distinction between typewritten, word processor/computer and conventional offset printing methods of production which are no longer meaningful. In light of the 1979 amendments eliminating paperbooks and the advances in word processor/computer technology, offset printing of briefs has become obsolete as a method for production of briefs. The 2003 amendment permits typewritten briefs despite the fact that the vast majority of briefs are produced on word processor/computers.

   A principal brief is any party’s initial brief and, in the case of a cross appeal, the appellant’s second brief, which responds to the initial brief in the cross appeal. See the notes to Pa.R.A.P. 2136. Reply briefs permitted by Rule 2113 and any subsequent brief permitted by leave of court are subject to the page limit set by this rule.

   It is important to note that each appellate court has the option of reducing the number of pages allowed for a brief, either by general rule, see Chapter 33 (Business of the Supreme Court), Chapter 35 (Business of the Superior Court), and Chapter 37 (Business of the Commonwealth Court), or by order in a particular case.

   The provisions of this Rule 2135 amended December 30, 1987, effective January 16, 1988 and shall govern all matters thereafter commenced and, insofar as just and practicable, matters then pending, 18 Pa.B. 245; amended May 16, 2003, effective 60 days after adoption, 33 Pa.B. 2586. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (293794).