United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Format

Type

Times New Roman 14 pt, double-spaced

Margins

1-inch margins

Opening brief

14,000 words

Reply brief

7,000 words

What counts

Excludes items listed in FRAP 32(f) and statement of related cases; a statutory addendum bound with the brief counts unless bound separately (per secondary source)

Rules

FRAP and Ninth Circuit Rules — FRAP 32(a)(1)-(6); 9th Cir. R. 32-1(a)

Parts of the brief, in order

1. Cover — Required · FRAP 32(a)(2)
2. CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT — If applicable · FRAP 26.1
3. TABLE OF CONTENTS — Required · FRAP 28(a)(2)
4. TABLE OF AUTHORITIES — Required · FRAP 28(a)(3)
5. JURISDICTIONAL STATEMENT — Required · FRAP 28(a)(4); 9th Cir. R. 28-2.2
6. STATEMENT OF THE ISSUES — Required · FRAP 28(a)(5)
7. STATEMENT OF THE CASE — Required · FRAP 28(a)(6)
8. SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT — Required · FRAP 28(a)(7)
9. ARGUMENT — Required · FRAP 28(a)(8); 9th Cir. R. 28-2.5 (reviewability and standard of review for each issue)
10. CONCLUSION — Required · FRAP 28(a)(9)
11. Signature block — Required · FRAP 32(d)
12. STATEMENT OF RELATED CASES — Required · 9th Cir. R. 28-2.6 (Form 17)
13. CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE (Form 8) — Required · 9th Cir. R. 32-1; Form 8
14. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE — If applicable · FRAP 25(d)
15. ADDENDUM (constitutional provisions, statutes, rules) — If applicable · 9th Cir. R. 28-2.7

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, state where in the record it was raised and ruled on, and the standard of review (9th Cir. R. 28-2.5)

Record citations: 1-ER-123 (volume-ER-page); 2-SER-45; FER-12 (9th Cir. R. 28-2.8, 30-1)

Excerpts of Record

Required. Pages are numbered like 1-ER-12. (9th Cir. R. 30-1)

• index volume (or integrated index if ≤300 pages)
• Vol. 1: decisions appealed (reverse chronological)
• other volumes: remaining documents in reverse chronological order
• trial exhibits
• notice of appeal
• district court docket sheet (last)
• sealed volume (separate, last)

Max 300 pages/volume, consecutive pagination, bold page numbers bottom; appellee files Supplemental ER (SER), reply Further ER (FER). Not required of pro se appellants. No paper copies unless ordered.

Certificates

• Compliance: Form 8 certificate of compliance for briefs (9th Cir. R. 32-1)
• Service: Not required for ACMS/ECF-served parties; otherwise FRAP 25(d)
• Statement of related cases (Form 17) (9th Cir. R. 28-2.6)

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)
• Criminal appeals: state bail/custody status of defendant (9th Cir. R. 28-2.4)
• Every factual assertion must cite ER; do not cite district court docket directly (9th Cir. R. 28-2.8)
• Rehearing petitions 4,200 words

Filing: Appellate electronic filing (ACMS); brief and ER filed separately; paper copies only on court request