Md. App. Ct. Informal Briefing

Effective August 1, 2020 and pursuant to new Rule 8-502(a)(9) (also effective as of August 1, 2020), the Appellate Court of Maryland will permit informal briefing for:

• appeals by self-represented incarcerated individuals; and

• appeals by self-represented parties in foreclosure actions.

• appeals by self-represented parties in family law cases (including custody, visitation, child support, alimony, marital property, and domestic violence

When the record is received in these types of cases, the Clerk will issue a briefing notice that will include a copy of the Appellate Court of Maryland Administrative Order, the Guideline for Informal Briefs, and an informal brief form. Please read them carefully because they contain important information about filing your informal brief. The brief form, available in three different formats, is available below.

Appellees may, but are not required to, file an informal brief as well.

The informal brief forms are available in two formats:

• Printable PDFs that you can fill in by hand or with a typewriter; and

• Appellant - Civil

• Appellant - Criminal

• Appellee

• Microsoft Word files that you fill in with a word processor.

• Appellant - Civil

• Appellant - Criminal

• Appellee

Whichever form you use, you will need to print the form, sign it and file it with the Clerk, and serve a copy on all opposing parties by the filing deadline as specified in the Guideline for Informal Briefs.