Rule 29. Oral argument.
     (a) Notice of hearing -- postponement. The clerk shall advise all parties of the time and place at which oral argument will be heard. A request for postponement of the hearing must be made by motion filed reasonably in advance of the date fixed for hearing.
     (b) Time allowed for argument. Upon oral argument of an appeal or original proceeding, 40 minutes will be allowed appellant or applicant and 30 minutes to respondent. If counsel is of the opinion that additional time is necessary for the adequate presentation of an argument, the counsel may request such additional time as the counsel deems necessary by motion filed reasonably in advance of the date fixed for hearing. A party is not obliged to use all of the time allowed, and the court may terminate the argument whenever in its judgment further argument is unnecessary.
     (c) Order and content of argument. The appellant or applicant is entitled to open and conclude the argument. The opening argument shall include a fair statement of the case, and the closing argument shall be limited to rebuttal of respondent's argument. Counsel will not be permitted to read at length from briefs, records or authorities.
     (d) Cross and separate appeals. A cross or separate appeal shall be argued with the initial appeal at a single hearing, unless the court otherwise directs. If a case involves a cross-appeal, the party who first files a notice of appeal, or in the event that the notices are filed on the same day the plaintiff in the proceeding below, shall be deemed the appellant for the purpose of this rule unless the parties otherwise agree or the court otherwise directs. If separate appellants support the same argument, care shall be taken to avoid duplication of argument at the hearing.
     (e) Nonappearance of counsel -- failure to file briefs. If counsel for a party fails to appear to present argument, the court may hear argument on behalf of a party whose counsel is present, and the case will be decided on the briefs and the argument heard. If no counsel appear for any party, the case will be decided on the briefs unless the court shall otherwise order.
     (f) Submission on briefs. By agreement of the parties, a case may be submitted for decision on the briefs, but the court may direct that the case be argued.
     (g) Use of physical exhibits at hearing -- removal. If physical exhibits other than documents are to be used at the hearing, counsel shall arrange to have them placed in the courtroom before the court convenes on the date of the hearing. After the hearing counsel shall cause the exhibits to be removed from the courtroom unless the court otherwise directs. If exhibits are not reclaimed by counsel within a reasonable time after notice is given by the clerk, they shall be destroyed or otherwise disposed of as the clerk shall think best.

     History: En. Sup. Ct. Ord. 11020, Dec. 10, 1965, eff. Jan. 1, 1966; amd. Sup. Ct. Ord. May 1, 1990, eff. May 1, 1990; amd. Sup. Ct. Ord. Mar. 26, 1993.