2024 California Rules of Court
Rule 8.220. Failure to file a brief
(a) Notice to file
If a party fails to timely file an appellant's opening brief or a respondent's brief, the reviewing court clerk must promptly notify the party in writing that the brief must be filed within 15 days after the notice is sent and that if the party fails to comply, the court may impose one of the following sanctions:
(1) If the brief is an appellant's opening brief, the court may dismiss the appeal;
(2) If the brief is a respondent's brief, the court may decide the appeal on the record, the opening brief, and any oral argument by the appellant.
(Subd (a) amended effective January 1, 2016; previously amended effective January 1, 2007, and January 1, 2008.)
(b) Combined brief
A party that is both an appellant and a respondent under rule 8.216 may file its combined respondent's brief and appellant's reply brief within the period specified in the notice under (a).
(Subd (b) amended effective January 1, 2007.)
(c) Sanction
If a party fails to file the brief as specified in a notice under (a), the court may impose the sanction specified in the notice.
(Subd (c) amended effective January 1, 2008.)
(d) Extension of time
Within the period specified in the notice under (a), a party may apply to the presiding justice for an extension of that period for good cause. If the extension is granted and the brief is not filed within the extended period, the court may impose the sanction under (c) without further notice.
Rule 8.220 amended effective January 1, 2016; repealed and adopted as rule 17 effective January 1, 2002; previously amended and renumbered as rule 8.220 effective January 1, 2007; previously amended effective January 1, 2008.