United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth 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 Sixth Circuit Rules — FRAP 32(a)(1)-(6); FRAP 32(a)(7); 6 Cir. R. 32(b)

Parts of the brief, in order

1. Cover — Required · FRAP 32(a)(2)
2. CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT — If applicable · FRAP 26.1; 6 Cir. R. 26.1
3. TABLE OF CONTENTS — Required · FRAP 28(a)(2)
4. TABLE OF AUTHORITIES — Required · FRAP 28(a)(3)
5. STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF ORAL ARGUMENT — If applicable · 6 Cir. R. 34(a)
6. JURISDICTIONAL STATEMENT — Required · FRAP 28(a)(4)
7. STATEMENT OF THE ISSUES — Required · FRAP 28(a)(5)
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 — If applicable · FRAP 28(a)(10), 32(g)
14. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE — If applicable · FRAP 25(d)
15. ADDENDUM — DESIGNATION OF RELEVANT DISTRICT COURT DOCUMENTS — Required · 6 Cir. R. 30(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: Motion for Summary Judgment, R. 23, PageID #120-145 (6 Cir. R. 28(a)(1)); avoid 'D' or 'DE'

Addendum (designation of relevant documents)

This court does not use a separate appendix — it relies on the record prepared by the clerk. We still build an index of your record documents if you upload them. Pages are numbered like Add. 12. (6 Cir. R. 30(a), 30(g), 28(b))

• designation of relevant district court documents (description, RE number, PageID range)
• statutes/regulations if needed
• non-public decisions

District court appeals proceed on the electronic record; no appendix. Brief must include addendum designating relevant documents with Page ID ranges.

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
• Corporate disclosure statement (FRAP 26.1) in principal brief even if previously filed

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)
• Page count for 30-page option runs from jurisdictional statement through conclusion
• Checking 'argument requested' in CM/ECF requires a justifying statement in the brief

Filing: CM/ECF; paper copies not required unless ordered