Brief of Friend of the Court

(A) General A friend of the court may file a brief urging affirmance or reversal, and leave to file an amicus brief is not required. The brief shall conform to the requirements of Rules 16.02 through 16.05, except that an amicus filing a brief in support of an appellant need not include the appendix required by Rule 16.02(B)(5). (B) Time to file 91 The cover page of an amicus brief shall identify the party on whose behalf the brief (1) is being submitted or indicate that the brief does not expressly support the position of any parties to the appeal. (2) If the amicus brief is in support of an appellant, the brief shall be filed within the time for filing allowed to the appellant to file a merit brief. A friend of the court may file a reply brief if the friend of the court filed an initial amicus brief. The reply brief shall be filed within the time allowed to the appellant to file a reply brief. (3) If the amicus brief is in support of an appellee or does not expressly support the position of any party, then the brief shall be filed within the time for filing allowed to the appellee to file a merit brief. (C) Refusal to file The Clerk of the Supreme Court shall refuse to file an amicus brief that is not submitted timely and that does not comply with the requirements of this rule. Effective Date: June 1, 1994 Amended: April 1, 1996; April 1, 2000; June 1, 2000; July 1, 2004; January 1, 2008; January 1, 2010; January 1, 2013; April 1, 2025