Rule 8-522 - Oral Argument(a)Time Limit. Except with permission of the Court, oral argument is limited to 20 minutes for each side in the Appellate Court and 30 minutes for each side in the Supreme Court. A party who believes that additional time is necessary for the adequate presentation of oral argument, may request, by letter addressed to the Court, the additional time deemed necessary. The request shall be made no later than ten days after the filing of the appellee's brief.(b)Rebuttal. The appellant may reserve a portion of the time allowed for rebuttal, but in opening argument shall present the case fairly and completely and shall not reserve points of substance for presentation during rebuttal.(c)Number of Counsel. Except with permission of the Court, not more than two attorneys may argue for a side. In granting a request for oral argument pursuant to Rule 8-523(b)(2), the Appellate Court may direct that only one attorney may argue for a side. When more than one attorney will argue for a side, the time allowed for the side may be divided as they desire.(d) More Than One Appeal in Same Action--Order of Argument. When there is more than one appeal in the same action, the order of argument may be determined by the Court. If the Court does not determine the order and unless otherwise agreed by parties, the appellant first in order on the docket will open and close.(e)Failure to Appear. If a party fails to appear when the case is reached for argument, the adverse party may present oral argument or, with permission of the Court, may waive it.(f) Restriction on Oral Argument. The Court may decline to hear oral argument on any matter not presented in the briefs.Md. R. Rev. Ct. App. & Spec. App. 8-522
This Rule is derived from former Rules 1046 and 846.
Adopted Nov. 19, 1987, eff. 7/1/1988. Amended 7/16/1992, eff. 7/16/1992; 9/17/2015, eff. 1/1/2016; amended April 21, 2023, eff. 4/1/2023.HISTORICAL NOTES
2015 Orders
The September 17, 2015, order, reduced the time allotted for oral argument in the Court of Special Appeals to 20 minutes for each side, except with permission of the Court; deleted the second sentence of section (a); and corrected a stylistic error.