The following sections of a brief and other referenced papers shall be excluded from these word limitations: Title/Cover page, Table of Contents, Table of Authorities, Certificate of Compliance, Attorney Signature Block, and Certificate of Service.
All briefs and other papers subject to word limitations under these rules must include a certificate by the attorney or unrepresented party that the brief or other paper complies with the applicable word limitation and must state the number of words in the brief or other paper. The person certifying compliance may rely on the word count of the word processing system used to prepare the brief or other paper.
Tenn. R. App. P. 30
Advisory Commission Comments.
This rule adopts a uniform system of page size for briefs, transcripts, applications, answers in opposition, petitions, motions, supporting papers, and objections. This rule permits, in effect, the use of any process, other than the carbon copy process, that produces a clean, readable page. It should be noted that while appellate papers may be commercially printed, under Rule 40(f) of these rules the cost of reproducing appellate papers is taxable at a rate not higher than that generally charged for photocopying.
Court and Advisory Commission Comments [1993].
It is the public policy of the State of Tennessee to encourage recycling and the use of recycled products and materials. This policy is reflected in the Tennessee Solid Waste Planning and Recovery Act (title 68, ch. 211, part 6) and in the Solid Waste Management Act of 1991 (title 68, ch. 211, part 8). The underlined portion of Rule 30(a) denotes the addition to Rule 30(a) effective July 1, 1993, in which the Court recommends and encourages that all papers filed in the Tennessee courts be submitted on recycled paper.
Advisory Commission Comments [2012].
Paragraph (a) is amended to specify the minimum font size for non-printed papers generated by a computer.
Advisory Commission Comments [2013].
Paragraph (a) of the rule was amended to replace the term "poor persons" with the term "indigent persons." The amendment was not intended to change the meaning or application of the rule.
Advisory Commission Comment [2022]
This rule adopts a word limitation provision for all briefs and other referenced papers. This rule is also amended to require a certification of compliance with the word limitation provisions of this rule.
Advisory Commission Comment [2024]
All appellate court electronic filings are governed by Tenn. S. Ct. Rule 46.