Rule 50. Brief in opposition; reply brief; brief of amicus curiae.

(a) Brief in opposition. Within 30 days after service of a petition the respondent shall file an opposing brief, disclosing any matter or ground why the case should not be reviewed by the Supreme Court. Such brief shall comply with Rules 27 and, as applicable, 49. Seven copies of the brief in opposition, one of which shall contain an original signature, shall be filed with the Clerk of the Supreme Court.

(b) Page limitation. A brief in opposition shall be as short as possible and may not, in any single case, exceed 20 pages, excluding the subject index, the table of authorities, any verbatim quotations required by Rule 49(a)(7), and the appendix.

(c) Objections to jurisdiction. No motion by a respondent to dismiss a petition for a writ of certiorari will be received. Objections to the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to grant the writ of certiorari may be included in the brief in opposition.

(d) Distribution of filings. Upon the filing of a brief in opposition, the expiration of the time allowed therefor, or express waiver of the right to file, the petition and the brief in opposition, if any, will be distributed by the clerk for consideration. However, if a cross-petition for a writ of certiorari has been filed, distribution of both it and the petition for a writ certiorari will be delayed until the filing of a brief in opposition by the cross-respondent, the expiration of the time allowed therefor, or express waiver of the right to file.

(e) Reply brief. A reply brief addressed to arguments first raised in the brief in opposition may be filed by any petitioner, but distribution under paragraph (d) of this rule will not be delayed pending the filing of any such brief. Such brief shall be as short as possible, but may not exceed five pages. Such brief shall comply with Rule 27. The number of copies to be filed shall be as described in Rule 50(a).

(f) Brief of amicus curiae. A brief of an amicus curiae concerning a petition for certiorari may be filed only by leave of the Supreme Court granted on motion or at the request of the Supreme Court. The motion for leave shall be accompanied by a proposed amicus brief, not to exceed 20 pages, excluding the subject index, the table of authorities, any verbatim quotations required by Rule 49(a)(7), and the appendix. The proposed amicus brief shall comply with Rule 27, and, as applicable, Rule 49. The number of copies of the proposed amicus brief submitted to the Supreme Court shall be the same as dictated by Rule 48(f). A motion for leave shall identify the interest of the applicant and shall state the reasons why a brief of an amicus curiae is desirable. The motion for leave shall be filed on or before the date of the filing of the timely petition or response of the party whose position the amicus curiae will support, unless the Supreme Court for cause shown otherwise orders. Parties to the proceeding in the Court of Appeals may indicate their support for, or opposition to, the motion. Any response of a party to a motion for leave shall be filed within seven days of service of the motion. If leave is granted, the proposed amicus brief will be accepted as filed and, unless the order granting leave otherwise indicates, amicus curiae also will be permitted to submit a brief on the merits, provided it is submitted in compliance with the briefing schedule of the party the amicus curiae supports. Denial of a motion for leave to file brief of an amicus curiae concerning a petition for certiorari shall not preclude a subsequent amicus motion relating to the merits after a grant of certiorari. All motions for leave to file brief of an amicus curiae on the merits after a grant of certiorari are governed by Rule 25.