"What is a brief? Generally, it is a short summary of a position that you are taking... It includes the facts of your case, the relevant law, and how you want the court to apply the law to the facts. A brief is often called a 'Memorandum of Law.'"
- Janet S. Kole, A Brief Guide to Brief Writing: Demystifying the Memorandum of Law (p. 1)
Court Rules are the practices and procedures for court.
The following court rules may help you get started on writing a brief or memorandum of law in PA. Other court rules might apply.
Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure (Pa.R.Civ.P.)
Pennsylvania Rules of Appellate Procedure (Pa.R.A.P.)
Philadelphia County Local Rules: Common Pleas-Trial Division-Civil
Here are links to local rules from other area counties:
For more information, see our Pennsylvania Court Rules - State and Pennsylvania Court Rules - County research guides.
State and county court rules are also available in print and on legal databases when visiting Jenkins. Ask a librarian for help finding or using these resources.
A Brief Guide to Brief Writing: Demystifying the Memorandum of Law
This book provides a general introduction to brief writing. Please consult Philadelphia Civil Rule 210 (see above) for specifics on writing a Memorandum of Law in the Philadelphia courts.
Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Civil Practice Manual
Legal Writing and Analysis in a Nutshell
Provides steps to develop clear, precise, and effective legal writing and analysis.
Also available as an eBook via West Academic Digital Library when visiting Jenkins.
The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation
This manual explains the correct ways to cite statutes, regulations, case law, and other resources.
PA Style: A Pennsylvania Stylebook and Citation Guide for Legal Writing
Information on how to cite to Pennsylvania statutes, cases, and more.
Sentence, Paragraph, Argument, Brief
This book offers detailed help for a practical approach to brief-writing.
For more information, see Jenkins' Pennsylvania Appellate Law and Practice research guide.