United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit

Format

Type

Times New Roman 14 pt, double-spaced

Margins

1-inch margins

Opening brief

13,000 words or 30 pages

Reply brief

6,500 words or 15 pages

What counts

Excludes cover, disclosure statement, TOC, TOA, glossary, statement regarding oral argument, addendum of statutes/rules, certificates of counsel, signature block, proof of service, and any item the rule exempts (FRAP 32(f)); headings, footnotes, quotations count

Rules

FRAP and Eighth Circuit Local Rules — FRAP 32(a)(1)-(6); FRAP 32(a)(7), 32(f)

Parts of the brief, in order

1. Cover — Required · FRAP 32(a)(2)
2. SUMMARY OF THE CASE AND REQUEST FOR ORAL ARGUMENT — Required · 8th Cir. R. 28A(i)(1) (max one page; state 10/15/20/30 minutes)
3. CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT — If applicable · FRAP 26.1
4. TABLE OF CONTENTS — Required · FRAP 28(a)(2)
5. TABLE OF AUTHORITIES — Required · FRAP 28(a)(3)
6. JURISDICTIONAL STATEMENT — Required · FRAP 28(a)(4)
7. STATEMENT OF THE ISSUES — Required · FRAP 28(a)(5); 8th Cir. R. 28A(i)(2) (list up to 4 most apposite cases and key provisions per issue)
8. STATEMENT OF THE CASE — Required · FRAP 28(a)(6)
9. SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT — Required · FRAP 28(a)(7)
10. ARGUMENT — Required · FRAP 28(a)(8)
11. CONCLUSION — Required · FRAP 28(a)(9)
12. Signature block — Required · FRAP 32(d)
13. CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE (incl. virus-scan statement) — Required · FRAP 32(g); 8th Cir. R. 28A(h)(2)
14. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE — If applicable · FRAP 25(d)
15. ADDENDUM — Required · 8th Cir. R. 28A(g)

Argument headings: Argument divided under numbered/lettered point headings (e.g. 'I.', 'A.'); all headings reproduced in TOC; contentions with citations to authorities and the record (FRAP 28(a)(8)(A))

Standard of review: For each issue, a concise statement of the applicable standard of review, in the argument or under a separate heading placed before discussion of the issues (FRAP 28(a)(8)(B))

Record citations: R. Doc. 12, at 3 (8th Cir. R. 28A(j)); parallel cite App. 45 when also in appendix

Appendix (joint or separate) + Addendum

Required when applicable. Pages are numbered like Add. 12. (FRAP 30; 8th Cir. R. 30A; 28A(g))

• table of contents
• relevant docket entries
• relevant pleadings, charge, findings, opinion
• judgment/order appealed
• other record parts

Appellant files 3 copies of joint appendix with brief (or separate appendices on 14-day notice) (8th Cir. R. 30A(b)). Pro se appeals use the district court record; immigration cases cite the electronic administrative record; no appendix. Addendum (28A(g)): district court/agency opinion and order, magistrate R&R, other relevant rulings, plus up to 15 pages of optional record excerpts; appellee's optional addendum max 15 pages. Addendum is filed as a separate PDF in CM/ECF but attached to the back of paper briefs.

Certificates

• Compliance: Certificate that the brief complies with the type-volume limit, stating the number of words (or lines) per the word-processing count; Form 6 may be used (FRAP 32(g)(1))
• Service: Proof of service showing date and manner of service, names and addresses (FRAP 25(d)); not required for papers served via CM/ECF on registered users per circuit rule
• Statement that brief and addendum were scanned for viruses and are virus-free (8th Cir. R. 28A(h)(2))

Good to know

• Appellee brief may omit jurisdiction, issues, case statement and standard of review unless dissatisfied with appellant's (FRAP 28(b))
• Pro se litigants: FRAP 32 limits apply; handwritten/informal briefs and appendix exemptions vary by circuit (see below)
• No incorporation by reference of other briefs (8th Cir. R. 28A(k))
• Overlength motions only in extraordinary cases, 7 days before due date (28A(l))
• En banc: 11 additional paper copies (28A(e))

Filing: CM/ECF; PDF generated from word processor (text searchable) (8th Cir. R. 28A(h)(3)); after clerk approves, 10 paper copies within 5 days plus one per separately represented party (8th Cir. R. 28A(d)); pro se file one paper copy (28A(c))