Supreme Court Adopts Rule Changes for Word Count, Recusals (1)

The U.S. Supreme Court formally adopted changes to its rules that reduce the number of words allowed in merits briefs.

The changes, which go into effect July 1, impose a 13,000-word cap, down from 15,000. They also reduce the number of words allowed in certain amicus, or friend-of-the-court, briefs to 8,000 from 9,000.

The court first proposed the amendments back in November. At that time, high court practitioners said the reduction would be challenging, especially given the stakes of those cases.

Practitioners, however, welcomed separate changes intended to reduce “missed” conflicts, where the justices recognize late in proceedings that there ...