Appellant’s / Petitioner’s Principal 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)).

• FRAP 28(a)
• FRAP 31
• FRAP 32
• FRAP 26.1

• Circuit-specific word limits and briefing schedule
• Addendum of statutes, record-citation format and excerpts of record (e.g. 9th Cir.)
• Number of paper copies, if any
• Certificate of interested persons (e.g. 5th and 11th Cir.)

Applies in federal courts of appeals. Find your court for its local requirements.

• Appellee’s / Respondent’s Brief
• Reply Brief
• Amicus Curiae Brief