Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/boundvolumes/558bv.pdf
Page Number: 1045.0

RULES  OF  THE  SUPREME  COURT 

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called  for  argument  less  than  two  weeks  after  the  brief  on 
the merits for the respondent or appellee is due. 

2.  The  Clerk  will  advise  counsel  when  they  are  required 
to  appear  for  oral  argument  and  will  publish  a  hearing  list 
in  advance  of  each  argument  session  for  the  convenience  of 
counsel and the information of the public. 

3.  The  Court,  on  its  own  motion  or  that  of  a  party,  may 
order  that  two  or  more  cases  involving  the  same  or  related 
questions  be  argued  together  as  one  case  or  on  such  other 
terms as the Court may prescribe. 

Rule 28.  Oral Argument 

1.  Oral argument should emphasize and clarify the written 
arguments  in  the  briefs  on  the  merits.  Counsel  should  as­
sume that all Justices have read the briefs before oral argu­
ment.  Oral  argument  read  from  a  prepared  text  is  not 
favored. 

2.  The petitioner or appellant shall open and may conclude 
the  argument.  A  cross-writ  of  certiorari  or  cross-appeal 
will be argued with the initial writ of certiorari or appeal as 
one case in the time allowed for that one case, and the Court 
will advise the parties who shall open and close. 

3.  Unless the Court directs otherwise, each side is allowed 
one-half  hour for  argument.  Counsel is  not required  to use 
all  the  allotted  time.  Any  request  for  additional  time  to 
argue shall be presented by motion under Rule 21 in time to 
be considered at a scheduled Conference prior to the date of 
oral argument and no later than 7 days after the respondent’s 
or  appellee’s  brief  on  the  merits  is  ﬁled,  and  shall  set  out 
speciﬁcally  and  concisely  why  the  case  cannot  be  presented 
within  the  half-hour  limitation.  Additional  time  is  rarely 
accorded. 

4.  Only one attorney will be heard for each side, except by 
leave  of  the  Court  on  motion  ﬁled  in  time  to  be  considered 
at a scheduled Conference prior to the date of oral argument 
and no later than 7 days after the respondent’s or appellee’s 
brief  on  the  merits  is  ﬁled.  Any  request  for  divided  argu­