All motions, briefs, letters, or communications by any party or amicus curiae relating to a matter pending in the court must be addressed to the clerk, who will lay them before the court in due course. Any other letter or communication relating directly or indirectly to any pending matter, addressed to the court or any judge of the court, will not be considered by the court. The clerk may return any such letter or communication to the sender or may refer such letter or communication to the appropriate entity or person.
Rule 84.20.Communications to Court.
Part II · Rule 84: Procedure in All Appellate Courts · Last amended January 1, 2000 · Last verified July 22, 2026
In one sentenceRule 84.20 requires all motions, briefs, letters, and other communications about a pending case to be addressed to the clerk instead of directly to the court or a judge, and lets the clerk return or refer any letter sent directly to a judge about a pending matter.
Full Text of Rule 84.20
Amendment History
Adopted June 13, 1979, eff. Jan. 1, 1980. Amended July 27, 1979; Jan. 5, 1999, eff. Jan. 1, 2000.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 84.20 keeps communication about a pending appellate case channeled through the clerk’s office. All motions, briefs, letters, or other communications from a party or an amicus curiae relating to a matter pending before the court must be addressed to the clerk, who lays them before the court in due course. Any other letter or communication about a pending matter, addressed directly to the court or to a judge, will not be considered by the court at all.
The clerk has discretion in how to handle a letter sent the wrong way — the clerk may return it to the sender or refer it to whatever entity or person is appropriate. The practical effect is to keep every substantive communication about a case part of the record that all parties can see, instead of a private message to a judge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I write directly to a judge about my pending appeal?
No, the court won’t consider a letter or communication addressed directly to it or to a judge about a pending matter.
Who should motions and briefs be addressed to?
The clerk of the court, who lays them before the court in due course.
What does the clerk do with a letter sent directly to a judge?
The clerk may return it to the sender or refer it to the appropriate entity or person.
Does this rule apply to amicus curiae communications too?
Yes, communications by any party or amicus curiae relating to a pending matter must go to the clerk.
Why does the rule require this?
It keeps party communications part of the visible record instead of private contact with a judge outside the record.
Source & verification. Rule text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Missouri State & Federal Court Rules, adopted by the
Supreme Court of Missouri. Last verified July 22, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: no direct letters to judges Missouriaddressing filings to the clerkex parte communication appellate courtcommunications to the appellate court