Not more than two counsel for each side shall be permitted to argue any case, except by express leave of the court; and in no case shall more than one counsel be heard in conclusion.
§ 9-10-182.Number of counsel who may argue case
Chapter 10. Civil Practice and Procedure Generally · Article 8. Argument and Conduct of Counsel · Last amended 1933 · Last verified July 17, 2026
In one sentenceO.C.G.A. § 9-10-182 limits each side to two arguing attorneys per case, absent express leave of court, and restricts the concluding argument to a single attorney no matter how many lawyers share the rest of the argument time.
Full Text of § 9-10-182
Plain-English Summary
Splitting argument time among a large legal team can drag out a trial and confuse a jury, and this section keeps the practice in check. Not more than two counsel for each side shall be permitted to argue any case, unless the court expressly grants leave for more.
The concluding argument gets an even tighter rule. No matter how many lawyers a side uses for the rest of its argument, only one counsel may be heard in conclusion — the final word to the jury belongs to a single voice, not a rotating cast.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many attorneys per side can argue a case under this section?
Not more than two, except by express leave of the court.
Can a court allow more than two attorneys per side to argue?
Yes, by express leave of the court.
How many attorneys may deliver the concluding argument?
No more than one, in any case.
Does the one-attorney rule for concluding argument have an exception for express leave of court, like the two-counsel rule does?
The statute states in no case shall more than one counsel be heard in conclusion, without attaching the express-leave exception to that part of the sentence.
Does this section apply to opening argument as well as concluding argument?
It limits the number of counsel who may argue a case generally, and separately restricts the concluding argument to one counsel; it does not carve opening argument out from the general two-counsel limit.
Amendment History
Ga. L. 1924, p. 75, § 1; Code 1933, § 81-1004.
Source & verification. Section text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, published by the
Official Code of Georgia Annotated, Georgia Code Revision Commission / LexisNexis. Last verified July 17, 2026.
· Official source
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