Southern District of Texas Page & Word Limits

Limit

20 pages

Applies to

Brief

Briefs and memoranda are limited to 20 pages, excluding signature pages and certificates of service, unless leave of court is granted for good cause.

Briefs and memoranda shall not exceed 20 pages, exclusive of a signature page and certificate of service, except upon leave of court for good cause shown.

Attorney limit

10 pages

Applies to

Brief

Additional briefing and responses in discovery disputes are limited to 10 pages unless the Court grants leave.

Should additional briefing be allowed, such briefing and any response must not exceed ten (10) pages absent leave of Court.

Attorney limit

20 pages

Applies to

Motion response

Absent leave of court, motions and responses are limited to 20 pages, including case style, table of contents/authorities, and signature block.

Absent leave of Court, motions and responses are limited to twenty (20) pages, including the case style, any table of contents or authorities, and signature block.

Attorney limit

5 pages

Applies to

Reply brief

Reply briefs are limited to 5 pages, including case style, table of contents/authorities, and signature block.

A reply must not exceed five (5) pages in length, including the case style, any table of contents or authorities, and signature block.

Attorney limit

10 pages

Applies to

Brief

Additional briefing on discovery disputes limited to 10 pages, except with leave of court.

Should additional briefing be allowed, such briefing and any response should not exceed ten (10) pages except with leave of Court.

Attorney limit

20 pages

Applies to

Brief

Briefs and memoranda limited to 20 pages including case style, table of contents/authorities, and signature block, absent leave for extended briefing.

Absent leave of Court for extended briefing, any brief or memorandum shall be limited to twenty (20) pages, including the case style, any table of contents or authorities, and signature block.

Attorney limit

5 pages

Applies to

Reply brief

Reply briefs must be submitted within 7 days of non-movant’s response and limited to 5 pages including case style, TOC/TOA, and signature block.

Reply briefs must be submitted within seven (7) days of the filing of non-movant’s response to the motion and must not exceed five (5) pages in length, including the case style, any table of contents or authorities, and signature block.

Attorney limit

2 pages

Applies to

Letter

Spacing

Single

Opposing parties must submit responsive letters of similar length (~2 single-spaced pages) to discovery dispute permission requests.

The opposing party should promptly submit a responsive letter of similar length identifying any disagreement.

Attorney limit

3 pages

Applies to

Letter

Spacing

Single

Letters requesting in camera inspection of privilege log documents may not exceed approximately three single-spaced pages.

Bring any request by letter not exceeding approximately three single-spaced pages.

Attorney limit

4000 words

Applies to

Amicus brief

Amicus curiae briefs are limited to 4,000 words unless other permission is granted.

The brief must clearly state which (if any) party it supports and must not exceed 4,000 words without other permission.

Limit

5000 words

Limit

2000 words

Applies to

Brief

Motions/responses limited to 5,000 words; replies limited to 2,000 words.

motion or response to 5,000 words (approximately twenty- five pages). Limit any reply to 2,000 words (approxi- mately ten pages).

Attorney limit

20 pages

Applies to

Brief

Memoranda and briefs filed in court are limited to 20 pages.

Each memorandum or brief filed in the Court shall be limited to 20 pages.

Attorney limit

3 pages

Applies to

Summary

Summaries accompanying memoranda over 15 pages are limited to 3 pages.

Any memorandum that is more than 15 pages must be accompanied by a concise summary, no longer than 3 pages, narrowing the points in the brief.

Attorney limit

10 pages

Applies to

Supplemental brief

Supplemental briefing requested by the Court is limited to ten pages.

If the Court asks for supplemental briefing, limit it to ten pages.

Attorney limit

2 pages

Applies to

Letter

Opposing party must submit responsive pre-motion letter of up to 2 pages.

The opposing party should promptly submit a responsive letter of similar length identifying any disagreement.

Attorney limit

0 pages

Applies to

Reply letter

Reply letters to pre-motion letters regarding discovery and scheduling disputes are prohibited.

Do not submit a reply letter.

Attorney limit

10 pages

Applies to

Supplemental brief

Supplemental briefing requested by the Court is limited to ten pages.

If the Court asks for supplemental briefing, limit it to ten pages.

Attorney limit

3 pages

Applies to

Letter

Spacing

Single

Letters requesting in camera inspection of privilege logs are limited to approximately three single-spaced pages.

Bring any request by letter not to exceed approximately three single-spaced pages.

Attorney limit

2 pages

Applies to

Letter

Pre-motion and responsive letters are limited to 2 pages.

two pages. The opposing party should promptly submit a responsive letter of similar length identifying any disagreement.

Limit

2 pages

Applies to

Letter

Joint letters filed for discovery/scheduling dispute conferences must not exceed 2 pages.

The parties should file a joint letter that does not exceed 2 pages, outlining the issues.

Limit

25 pages

Applies to

Brief

Font

13 pt

Spacing

Double

Motions, briefs, and memoranda are limited to 25 pages, 13-point font, double-spaced, 1-inch margins without leave of court.

Without leave of Court, any motion, brief, or memorandum shall be limited to 25 pages, 13-point type-font, double-spaced, with 1” margins.

Limit

30 pages

Limit

15 pages

Applies to

Brief

Motions and responses limited to 30 pages; replies limited to 15 pages absent leave of court.

Absent leave of court, any motion or response shall be limited to 30 pages. Replies are limited to 15 pages.

Limit

10 pages

Applies to

Surreply

Authorized surreplies and sur-surreplies are limited to 10 pages.

Surreplies and sur-surreplies, if allowed, are limited to 10 pages.

Limit

25 pages

Applies to

Memoranda of law

Font

12 pt

Spacing

Double

All memoranda of law are limited to 25 pages, 12-point double-spaced font, and 1-inch margins.

Without leave of Court, all memoranda of law are limited to 25 pages, 12-point type font, double-spaced, with 1" margins.

Limit

25 pages

Applies to

Memorandum of law

Font

12 pt

Spacing

Double

All memoranda of law are limited to 25 pages, 12-point font, double-spaced, 1-inch margins unless leave of court is granted.

Without leave of Court, all memoranda of law are limited to 25 pages, 12-point font, double-spaced, with 1” margins.

Limit

25 pages

Applies to

Brief

Without leave of Court, any brief or memorandum is limited to 25 pages.

Without leave of Court any brief or memorandum shall be limited to 25 pages.

Attorney limit

30 pages

Applies to

Brief

Briefs and legal memoranda are limited to 30 pages excluding exhibits; leave of court required to exceed.

A party shall obtain leave of the Court to file a brief and legal memoranda that exceeds 30 pages, excluding exhibits.

Attorney limit

20 pages

Applies to

Brief

Briefs and legal memoranda limited to 20 pages, unless court permits extension.

Briefs and legal memoranda shall be limited to 20 pages, unless permitted by the Court to exceed this limit.

Limit

25 pages

Applies to

Brief

Briefs and memoranda are limited to 25 pages unless the Court grants leave for extended briefing.

Absent leave of Court for extended briefing, any brief or memorandum shall be limited to 25 pages.

Attorney limit

10 pages

Applies to

Reply brief

Reply briefs are limited to 10 pages.

(B) The Reply must be ten (10) pages or fewer.

Limit

25 pages

Applies to

Brief

Briefs and memoranda are limited to 25 pages unless the court grants leave for extended briefing.

Absent leave of Court for extended briefing, any brief or memorandum shall be limited to 25 pages.

Limit

10 pages

Applies to

Reply brief

Replies to responses must not exceed 10 pages.

(B) The Reply must be ten (10) pages or fewer.

Attorney limit

25 pages

Attorney limit

15 pages

Applies to

Brief

Briefs/memoranda limited to 25 pages; reply briefs limited to 15 pages; sur-replies prohibited without leave.

Without leave of Court, all briefs or memoranda are limited to 25 pages. A moving party may file a brief or memorandum of law in reply to a respondent=s brief. Without leave of the court, a reply brief is limited to 15 pages. However, without leave of the Court, no further briefs, including a sur-reply, may be filed.

Limit

25 pages

Applies to

Memorandum of law

Font

12 pt

Spacing

Double

Memoranda of law are limited to 25 pages, 12-point font, double-spaced, with 1-inch margins without court leave.

Without leave of Court, all memoranda of law are limited to 25 pages, 12-point type font, double-spaced, with 1" margins.

Limit

40 pages

Applies to

Appendix

Appendices containing supporting affidavits, deposition excerpts, and discovery referred to in briefs are limited to 40 pages each.

Copies of supporting affidavits, deposition testimony excerpts, and other discovery referred to in the briefs should be separately filed in one or more appendices of no more than 40 pages each.

Limit

25 pages

Applies to

Brief

All memoranda of law are limited to 25 pages without leave of court.

Without leave of Court, all memoranda of law are limited to 25 pages

Limit

25 pages

Applies to

Memorandum of law

Font

12 pt

Spacing

Double

Memoranda of law are limited to 25 pages, 12-point font, double-spaced, 1-inch margins without court leave.

Without leave of Court, all memoranda of law are limited to 25 pages, 12-point type font, double-spaced, with 1" margins.

Attorney limit

40 pages

Applies to

Appendix

Appendices containing discovery materials referred to in briefs are limited to 40 pages per appendix.

Copies of supporting affidavits, deposition testimony excerpts, and other discovery referred to in the briefs should be separately filed in one or more appendices of no more than 40 pages each.

Attorney limit

25 pages

Applies to

Brief

Font

12 pt

Spacing

Double

All memoranda of law are limited to 25 pages, 12-point font, double spacing, and 1-inch margins without leave of court.

Without leave of Court, all memoranda of law are limited to 25 pages, 12-point font, double-spaced, with 1” margins.

Limit

5000 words

Limit

2000 words

Applies to

Brief

Motions and responses limited to 5000 words; replies limited to 2000 words. Sur-replies prohibited without permission. Word count certificate required. Exclusions: caption, TOC, TOA, signature, certificates. Word limit extensions rarely granted.

c. Page Limits: Limit any motion or response to 5,000 words (approximately twenty-five pages). Limit any reply to 2,000 words (approximately ten pages). Do not file a sur-reply absent permission. Provide a certificate of word count following the signature block. Reliance on word-processor register is sufficient in this regard. Word limits do not include the case caption, table of contents, table of authorities, signature block, or certificates. Word limits are rarely extended. Anticipate and seek resolution of any motion for extension well in advance of the filing deadlines.

Attorney limit

2 pages

Applies to

Letter

Pre-motion letters for discovery/scheduling disputes are limited to 2 pages.

To obtain permission, the party seeking relief must submit a letter not exceeding two pages.

Attorney limit

20 pages

Applies to

Brief

Briefs and memoranda are limited to 20 pages unless the Court grants leave to exceed.

All briefs and memoranda must be limited to 20 pages unless the Court grants leave to file more than 20 pages.

Limit

20 pages

Applies to

Brief

All briefs and memoranda are limited to 20 pages unless the Court grants leave to exceed.

All briefs and memoranda must be limited to 20 pages unless the Court grants leave to file more than 20 pages.

Attorney limit

25 pages

Applies to

Brief

Motions, memoranda of law, and briefs are limited to 25 pages total without leave of court; limit includes all factual and legal arguments.

Without leave of court no motion, memorandum of law, or brief may exceed 25 total pages. This 25-page limitation includes all statements of fact and all factual and legal arguments.

Attorney limit

3 pages

Applies to

Letter

Letter requesting court conference on discovery dispute must not exceed 3 pages.

The requesting party must file a letter of no more than three pages summarizing the dispute, the date, time and method of the parties’ conference and the identity of the attendees, the outcome of the discussions, and the relief sought from the court.

Limit

25 pages

Applies to

Motion

Font

12 pt

Spacing

Double

All motions are limited to 25 double-spaced pages with 12-point font and 1-inch margins, unless leave of court is granted.

Without leave of court, all motions are limited to 25 double-spaced pages with 12-point font and 1” margins.

Attorney limit

25 pages

Attorney limit

2000 words

Applies to

Brief

Support/opposition briefs limited to 25 pages; reply briefs limited to 2000 words; word counts exclude specified items; no sur-replies without permission.

(approximately twenty-five pages). Limit any reply to 2,000 words (approximately ten pages). Do not file a sur-reply absent permission. Word limits do not include the case caption, table of contents, table of authorities, signature block, and certificates.

Attorney limit

2 pages

Applies to

Letter

Pre-motion initial and responsive letters limited to 2 pages.

To obtain permission, the party seeking relief must submit a letter not exceeding two pages. [...] The opposing party should promptly submit a responsive letter of similar length identifying any disagreement.

Limit

3 pages

Applies to

Letter

Letters requesting a discovery dispute conference must not exceed three pages.

The requesting party must file a letter of no more than three pages summarizing the dispute, the date, time and method of the parties’ conference and the identity of the attendees, the outcome of the discussions, and the relief sought from the court.

Limit

25 pages

Applies to

Motion

Font

13 pt

Spacing

Double

All motions are limited to 25 double-spaced pages unless leave of court is granted.

Without leave of court, all motions are limited to 25 double-spaced pages with 13-point font and 1” margins.

Limit

6500 words

Limit

2500 words

Applies to

Brief

Primary briefs limited to 6,500 words; reply briefs limited to 2,500 words. Word count includes headings and footnotes; excludes caption, document title, TOC, TOA, signature blocks, and certificates.

Primary briefs cannot exceed 6,500 words, and reply briefs are limited to 2,500 words. The word count limit includes headings and footnotes, but excludes the caption of the case, title of the document, table of contents, table of authorities, signature blocks, and certificates.

Limit

20 pages

All motions, briefs, legal memoranda, and pleadings are limited to 20 pages, with court permission required to exceed.

Motions are not to exceed twenty pages. 1) All briefs and memoranda of law must be concise, pertinent, and well organized. All briefs, legal memorandum, motions, and pleadings of any kind shall be limited to 20 pages, unless permitted by the Court to exceed this limit.

Attorney limit

2 pages

Applies to

Letter

Pre-motion letters are limited to 1-2 pages and must outline disputes and issues.

The party seeking the conference must submit a one- to two-page letter to the Court with copies to all counsel and unrepresented parties, identifying the disputes and setting out the issues to be addressed.

Attorney limit

25 pages

Applies to

Brief

Briefs and memoranda are limited to 25 pages unless the court grants leave for longer submissions.

Any brief or memorandum is limited to 25 pages unless counsel obtains leave of court for longer submissions.

Attorney limit

2 pages

Applies to

Letter

Joint discovery dispute letters must not exceed two pages.

When those earnest and valiant attempts prove unsuccessful, the parties should file a joint letter not to exceed two pages outlining the dispute, each side’s position, and the efforts made to resolve the dispute.

Applies to

Brief

Word count exclusions: caption, TOC, TOA, signature block, and certificates do not count toward word limits.

Word limits don’t include the case caption, table of contents, table of authorities, signature block, and certificates.

Attorney limit

20 pages

Applies to

Brief

Table of Contents and Table of Authorities are excluded from the 20-page brief limit.

The Table of Contents and Table of Authorities do not count against the 20-page limit.