Court Rules

Southern District of Texas Page & Word Limits

56 rules from official source documents

Maximum page counts and word limits for motions, briefs, and other filings by judge.

Page, word and line limits

CRITICALCivil cases

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.

Judge Alfred H. Bennett

CRITICALCivil cases

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.

Judge Alfred H. Bennett

CRITICALCivil cases

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.

Judge Alfred H. Bennett

CRITICAL

Limit
5000 words
Limit
2000 words

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).

Judge Charles R. Eskridge III

CRITICAL

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.

Judge Charles R. Eskridge III

CRITICAL

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.

Judge Charles R. Eskridge III

CRITICALCivil cases

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.

Judge David Hittner

CRITICALCivil cases

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.

Judge David Hittner

CRITICAL

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.

Judge Drew B. Tipton

CRITICAL

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.

Judge Drew B. Tipton

CRITICAL

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.

Judge Drew B. Tipton

CRITICALCivil cases

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.

Judge Drew B. Tipton

CRITICALCivil cases

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.

Judge Ewing Werlein, Jr.

CRITICALCivil cases

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.

Judge Fernando Rodriguez, Jr.

CRITICALCriminal cases

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.

Judge Fernando Rodriguez, Jr.

CRITICAL

Limit
2 pages
Applies to
Letter

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

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

Judge George C. Hanks Jr.

CRITICAL

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.

Judge George C. Hanks Jr.

CRITICAL

Limit
10 pages

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

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

Judge Jeffrey V. Brown

CRITICAL

Limit
30 pages
Limit
15 pages

Absent leave of court, motions and responses are limited to 30 pages and replies are limited to 15 pages.

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

Judge Jeffrey V. Brown

CRITICALCivil cases

Limit
25 pages
Applies to
Memoranda of law
Font
12 pt
Spacing
Double

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

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

Judge John A. Kazen

CRITICALCriminal cases

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.

Judge John A. Kazen

CRITICAL

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.

Judge Keith P. Ellison

CRITICAL

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.

Judge Keith P. Ellison

CRITICAL

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.

Judge Keith P. Ellison

CRITICAL

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.

Judge Keith P. Ellison

CRITICALCivil cases

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.

Judge Kenneth M. Hoyt

CRITICALCivil cases

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.

Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo

CRITICALCivil cases

Limit
40 pages
Applies to
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.

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.

Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo

CRITICALCivil cases

Limit
40 pages
Applies to
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.

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.

Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo

CRITICALCriminal cases

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

Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo

CRITICALCivil cases

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.

Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo

CRITICALCivil cases

Attorney limit
40 pages
Applies to
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.

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.

Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo

CRITICALCriminal cases

Limit
25 pages
Applies to
Brief
Font
12 pt
Spacing
Double

Absent leave of court, all memoranda of law are limited to 25 pages, 12-point font, double-spaced, with 1-inch margins.

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

Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo

CRITICALCriminal cases

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.

Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo

CRITICAL

Limit
5000 words
Limit
2000 words

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.

Judge Nicholas Jon Ganjei

CRITICAL

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.

Judge Nicholas Jon Ganjei

CRITICALCivil cases

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.

Judge Rolando Olvera

CRITICALCivil cases

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.

Judge Rolando Olvera

CRITICAL

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.

Magistrate Judge Christina A. Bryan

CRITICAL

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.

Magistrate Judge Christina A. Bryan

CRITICAL

Attorney limit
2 pages
Applies to
Letter

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.

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.

Magistrate Judge Julie K. Hampton

CRITICAL

Attorney limit
25 pages
Attorney limit
2000 words
Applies to
Brief

(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.

(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.

Magistrate Judge Julie K. Hampton

CRITICAL

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.

Magistrate Judge Richard W. Bennett

CRITICAL

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.

Magistrate Judge Richard W. Bennett

CRITICAL

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.

Magistrate Judge Yvonne Y. Ho

CRITICAL

Limit
6500 words
Limit
2500 words
Applies to
Brief

Primary briefs are limited to 6,500 words and reply briefs to 2,500 words, counting headings and footnotes but excluding the caption, document title, tables, 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.

Magistrate Judge Yvonne Y. Ho

CRITICALCivil cases

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.

Senior Judge Andrew S. Hanen

CRITICALCivil cases

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.

Senior Judge Andrew S. Hanen

CRITICALCivil cases

Limit
25 pages
Applies to
Brief

All briefs, legal memoranda, motions, and pleadings are limited to 25 pages unless the Court permits exceeding that limit.

All briefs, legal memorandum, motions, and pleadings of any kind shall be limited to 25 pages, unless permitted by the Court to exceed this limit.

Senior Judge Andrew S. Hanen

CRITICALCivil cases

Limit
20 pages
Applies to
Motion

Motions are limited to 20 pages.

Motions are not to exceed twenty pages.

Senior Judge Andrew S. Hanen

CRITICAL

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.

Senior Judge Lee H. Rosenthal

INFOCivil cases

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.

Judge Rolando Olvera

Other limits (time, motions, days)

Common questions about Southern District of Texas page & word limits

What page or word limits apply to brief in Southern District of Texas?

Judge Rolando Olvera's rule states these limits: attorney: 20 pages. Briefs and memoranda are limited to 20 pages unless the Court grants leave to exceed.

View ruleOfficial source Source: page 5, section F. Supporting Briefs and Legal Memoranda

Judge Fernando Rodriguez, Jr.'s rule states these limits: attorney: 30 pages. Excludes exhibits. Briefs and legal memoranda are limited to 30 pages excluding exhibits; leave of court required to exceed.

View ruleOfficial source Source: page 3, section MOTION PRACTICE AND BRIEFS

Judge Kenneth M. Hoyt's rule states these limits: attorney: 25 pages; attorney: 15 pages. Briefs/memoranda limited to 25 pages; reply briefs limited to 15 pages; sur-replies prohibited without leave.

View ruleOfficial source Source: page 6, section VII. BRIEFS

19 more rules answer this question.

What page or word limits apply to memorandum of law in Southern District of Texas?

Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo's rule states these limits: 25 pages. Memoranda of law are limited to 25 pages, 12-point font, double-spaced, with 1-inch margins without court leave.

View ruleOfficial source Source: page 6, section 7. MEMORANDA OF LAW

Judge John A. Kazen's rule states these limits: 25 pages. All memoranda of law are limited to 25 pages, 12-point font, double-spaced, 1-inch margins unless leave of court is granted.

View ruleOfficial source Source: page 5, section B. Page Limits and Briefing Requirements

1 more rule answers this question.

What page or word limits apply to appendix in Southern District of Texas?

Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo's rule states these limits: 40 pages. 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.

View ruleOfficial source Source: page 7, section Memoranda of Law

2 more rules answer this question.

What page or word limits apply to summary in Southern District of Texas?

Judge David Hittner's rule states these limits: attorney: 3 pages. Summaries accompanying memoranda over 15 pages are limited to 3 pages.

View ruleOfficial source Source: page 10, section MOTION PRACTICE

What page or word limits apply to surreply in Southern District of Texas?

Judge Jeffrey V. Brown's rule states these limits: 10 pages. Surreplies and sur-surreplies, if allowed, are limited to 10 pages.

View ruleOfficial source Source: page 4, section 6. Motion Practice

What page or word limits apply to motion or response in Southern District of Texas?

Judge Jeffrey V. Brown's rule states these limits: 30 pages; 15 pages. Absent leave of court, motions and responses are limited to 30 pages and replies are limited to 15 pages.

View ruleOfficial source Source: page 4, section 6. Motion Practice