4th Cir. Filing Rules Check

The appellant’s merits brief.

• Cover with case number, court, title, nature of proceeding, document title and counsel (FRAP 32(a)(2)) — blue cover
• Disclosure statement if required (FRAP 26.1)
• Table of contents and table of authorities with page references
• Jurisdictional statement
• Statement of the issues
• Statement of the case
• Summary of the argument
• Argument with standard of review for each issue
• Short conclusion stating the relief sought
• Certificate of compliance with the type-volume limit (FRAP 32(g)(1))
• Proof of service (FRAP 25(d))
• Redactions required by FRAP 25(a)(5) (applies the privacy rule that governed below)

Deadline: Within 40 days after the record is filed (FRAP 31(a)(1)); circuits may shorten or lengthen by local rule or order.

Length: 13,000 words or 30 pages; 14-point proportional font; 1-inch margins (FRAP 32(a)(4)–(7)).

Rules: FRAP 28(a); FRAP 31; FRAP 32; FRAP 26.1

The appellee’s merits brief.

• Cover with case number, court, title, nature of proceeding, document title and counsel (FRAP 32(a)(2)) — red cover
• Same contents as FRAP 28(a), except the jurisdictional statement, issues, case statement and standard of review may be omitted if the appellee is satisfied with the appellant’s (FRAP 28(b))
• Certificate of compliance with the type-volume limit (FRAP 32(g)(1))
• Proof of service (FRAP 25(d))

Deadline: Within 30 days after the appellant’s brief is served (FRAP 31(a)(1)).

Length: 13,000 words or 30 pages (FRAP 32(a)(7)).

Rules: FRAP 28(b); FRAP 31; FRAP 32

Responds to the appellee’s brief.

• Cover with case number, court, title, nature of proceeding, document title and counsel (FRAP 32(a)(2)) — gray cover
• Table of contents and table of authorities
• Argument
• Certificate of compliance with the type-volume limit (FRAP 32(g)(1))
• Proof of service (FRAP 25(d))

Deadline: Within 21 days after service of the appellee’s brief, but at least 7 days before argument unless the court allows otherwise (FRAP 31(a)(1)).

Length: Half the type-volume of a principal brief: 6,500 words or 15 pages (FRAP 32(a)(7)).

Rules: FRAP 28(c); FRAP 31(a)(1); FRAP 32

Brief by a non-party supporting a party or neither.

• Cover with case number, court, title, nature of proceeding, document title and counsel (FRAP 32(a)(2)) — green cover
• Statement of identity, interest and source of authority to file (FRAP 29(a)(4))
• Disclosures required by FRAP 29(a)(4) about authorship and funding
• Motion for leave when required (FRAP 29(a)(2)–(3))
• Certificate of compliance with the type-volume limit (FRAP 32(g)(1))
• Proof of service (FRAP 25(d))

Deadline: No later than 7 days after the principal brief of the party supported is filed (FRAP 29(a)(6)).

Length: No more than half the maximum length authorized for a party’s principal brief (FRAP 29(a)(5)).

Rules: FRAP 29

Reproduces the parts of the record the court needs.

• Relevant docket entries; relevant portions of the pleadings, charge, findings or opinion; the judgment, order or decision appealed; and other parts of the record the parties wish to direct the court to (FRAP 30(a)(1))
• Table of contents
• White cover (FRAP 32(b))

Deadline: Filed with the appellant’s principal brief unless deferred (FRAP 30(a)(1), (c)).

Rules: FRAP 30

Requests an order or other relief from the court of appeals.

• Motion stating with particularity the grounds, relief sought and legal argument (FRAP 27(a)(2)(A))
• Supporting affidavits and a copy of the lower-court ruling where relevant (FRAP 27(a)(2)(B))
• Disclosure statement if required (FRAP 26.1)
• No separate brief (FRAP 27(a)(2)(C)(i))
• Certificate of compliance with the type-volume limit (FRAP 32(g)(1))
• Proof of service (FRAP 25(d))

Deadline: Response within 10 days after service of the motion; reply within 7 days after service of the response (FRAP 27(a)(3)–(4)).

Length: 5,200 words or 20 pages for a motion or response; 2,600 words or 10 pages for a reply (FRAP 27(d)(2)).

Rules: FRAP 27

Seeks a stay of the judgment or an injunction pending appeal.

• Showing that moving first in the district court would be impracticable, or that the district court denied relief (FRAP 8(a)(2)(A))
• Reasons for relief and relevant facts, with affidavits (FRAP 8(a)(2)(B))
• Relevant parts of the record
• Proof of service (FRAP 25(d))

Rules: FRAP 8

Discloses parent corporations and 10% stockholders.

• Parent corporation and any publicly held corporation owning 10% or more of its stock, or a statement that there is none (FRAP 26.1(a))
• Organizational victims in criminal cases and debtor information in bankruptcy appeals (FRAP 26.1(b)–(c))

Deadline: With the principal brief or upon the first filing in the court, whichever is first; supplement when information changes (FRAP 26.1(d)).

Rules: FRAP 26.1

Seeks permission for a discretionary appeal, e.g. under 28 U.S.C. § 1292(b) or FRCP 23(f).

• Facts needed to understand the question, the question itself, relief sought, reasons the appeal should be allowed, and the authorizing statute or rule (FRAP 5(b)(1))
• Copy of the order and any opinion and order permitting appeal (FRAP 5(b)(1)(E))
• Proof of service (FRAP 25(d))

Deadline: Within the time the authorizing statute or rule sets (e.g. 10 days after the § 1292(b) order; 14 days under FRCP 23(f)).

Length: 5,200 words or 20 pages (FRAP 5(c)).

Rules: FRAP 5; 28 U.S.C. § 1292(b); FRCP 23(f)

Seeks an extraordinary writ directed to a lower court.

• Relief sought, issues presented, facts, and reasons the writ should issue (FRAP 21(a)(2)(B))
• Copies of any order, opinion or parts of the record essential to understand the petition (FRAP 21(a)(2)(C))
• Service on all parties and the trial-court judge (FRAP 21(a)(1))
• Certificate of compliance with the type-volume limit (FRAP 32(g)(1))

Length: 7,800 words or 30 pages (FRAP 21(d)(1)).

Rules: FRAP 21

Seeks review of a federal agency order directly in the court of appeals.

• Each party seeking review, the agency as respondent, and the order to be reviewed (FRAP 15(a)(2))
• Fee
• Service (FRAP 15(c))

Deadline: Within the time the authorizing statute prescribes.

Rules: FRAP 15; Statute authorizing review

Asks the panel or the full court to rehear the case.

• Points of law or fact the court overlooked or misapprehended; for en banc, why the case meets the en banc criteria (FRAP 40(b))
• Copy of the panel’s opinion or judgment
• Certificate of compliance with the type-volume limit (FRAP 32(g)(1))
• Proof of service (FRAP 25(d))

Deadline: Within 14 days after entry of judgment; 45 days in a civil case involving the United States or its officer or agency (FRAP 40(d)(1)).

Length: 3,900 words or 15 pages (FRAP 40(d)(3)).

Rules: FRAP 40

Requests costs on appeal.

• Itemized and verified bill of costs (FRAP 39(d)(1))
• Proof of service (FRAP 25(d))

Deadline: Within 14 days after entry of judgment (FRAP 39(d)(1)).

Rules: FRAP 39

Advises the court of significant authority that came to the party’s attention after briefing.

• Letter stating the reasons for the supplemental citation with reference to the page of the brief or the point argued
• Proof of service (FRAP 25(d))

Length: Body of the letter: 350 words (FRAP 28(j)).

Rules: FRAP 28(j)