Va. Sup. Ct. R. 5:6

(a) Document Formatting, Line Spacing, Font, and Margins.

(1) Application. Electronic filing requirements, and exemptions therefrom, are

specified in Rule 5:1B. Provisio ns of this Rule 5:6 apply to electronically filed

documents, and to paper documen ts filed by persons exempted from e-filing

requirements under Rule 5:1B(b).

(2) General Rules. Briefs, appendices, motions, petitions, and other documents

must be formatted to appear on an 8 ½ by 11-inch page with a clear black image on a

white backgroun d. Margins must be at least one inch on all four sides of each page.

(3) Specific Rules for Motions, Petitions, and Briefs. Except by leave of Court, all

motions, petitions, and briefs, including footnotes, must use one of the font styles listed

on the Court’s website in at least 14-point type and must be formatted to print on only

one side of the page. Text may not be reduced and must be double s paced except for

headings, assignments of error, quotations that exceed 49 words, and footnotes, which

must be single spaced. Page numbers are required and may appear in either the top or

bottom margin, but no text, including footnotes, is permitted in the one-inch margins.

Page or word limits for motions, petitions, and briefs do not include the cover page,

table of contents, table of authorities, signature blocks, or certificate.

(4) Specific Rules for the Appendix. The appendix may be printed using both sides

of the page. Any transcript, including a deposition transcript, that is made a part of the

appendix m ust be in 12-point type or larger. Any transcript contained in the appendix

that fails to conform to the 12 -point type requirement may be returned to counsel, and

counsel will be required to promptly comply with this requirement in accordance with

the instruction of this Court. The use of condensed or multi-page transcripts is

prohibited. Page numbers are required and may appear in either the top or bottom

margin.

(b) Cover Contents; Printing. The style of the case (with the name of the appellant

stated first) and the record number of the case must be stated on the front cover of all briefs

and appendices and, in addition, the name, Virginia State Bar number, mai ling address,

telephone number (including any applicable extension), facsimile number (if any), and e-

mail address of counsel submitting the brief must be placed on the front cover of all briefs.

For parties exempted from electronic filing re quirements under Rule 5:1B(b), all documents

to be filed must be printed with black text on 8 ½ x 11-inch white paper. All briefs and

appendices filed in paper form must be bound on the left margin in such a manner as to

produce a flat, smooth binding. The covers of documents filed in paper form must comply

with the color requirements of Rule 5:31.

(c) Effect of Non-compliance. — No appeal will be dismissed for failure to comply with

the provisions of this Rule; the clerk of this Court may, however, require that a document be

redone in compliance with this Rule. Failure to comply after notice of noncompliance,

however, may result in the dismissal of the case.