United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit

Format

Type

Times New Roman 13 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 Tenth Circuit Rules — 10th Cir. R. 32(A) (13 or 14 pt, 14 preferred, incl. footnotes); FRAP 32(a)(7); 10th Cir. R. 32(B)

Parts of the brief, in order

1. Cover (with oral argument request statement) — Required · FRAP 32(a)(2); 10th Cir. R. 28.2(C)(1)-(2)
2. CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT — If applicable · FRAP 26.1
3. TABLE OF CONTENTS (list glossary and attachments) — Required · FRAP 28(a)(2)
4. TABLE OF AUTHORITIES — Required · FRAP 28(a)(3)
5. STATEMENT OF PRIOR OR RELATED APPEALS — Required · 10th Cir. R. 28.2(C)(3) (negative statement if none)
6. GLOSSARY — If applicable · 10th Cir. R. 28.2(C)(4)
7. JURISDICTIONAL STATEMENT — Required · FRAP 28(a)(4); 10th Cir. R. 28.2(C)(6) (citizenship in diversity cases)
8. STATEMENT OF THE ISSUES — Required · FRAP 28(a)(5)
9. STATEMENT OF THE CASE — Required · FRAP 28(a)(6)
10. SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT — Required · FRAP 28(a)(7)
11. ARGUMENT — Required · FRAP 28(a)(8)
12. CONCLUSION — Required · FRAP 28(a)(9)
13. STATEMENT REGARDING ORAL ARGUMENT — If applicable · 10th Cir. R. 28.2(C)(2) (reasons, after conclusion)
14. Signature block — Required · 10th Cir. R. 46.5
15. CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE — If applicable · FRAP 32(g)
16. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE — If applicable · FRAP 25(d); 10th Cir. R. 25.4
17. ATTACHMENTS (orders under review, final judgment) — Required · 10th Cir. R. 28.2(A)

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: (App. Vol. 1 at 25) or (R. Vol. 1 at 25) — precise format per 10th Cir. R. 28.1; not verified verbatim

Appendix (Appellant's Appendix)

Required when applicable. Pages are numbered like App. 12. (FRAP 30; 10th Cir. R. 30.1)

• index
• district court docket entries (first)
• other documents in chronological order by filing date

Searchable, bookmarked PDF (bookmark: docket no., title, filing date); consecutive pagination starting at cover; <300 pages/volume; one hard copy when requested. CJA counsel file a designation of record instead (10th Cir. R. 10.3-10.4); pro se appeals use the record on appeal. Appellee may file supplemental appendix (30.2(A)(1)). Attachments to brief: written findings/opinions/orders under review, magistrate R&R, final judgment (28.2(A)).

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)
• Only one reply brief without leave (10th Cir. R. 31.3(A))
• Separate briefs by multiple parties need justification statement (10th Cir. R. 31.3(B))
• If pro se appellant omits attachments, appellee must supply them

Filing: CM/ECF; 7 hard copies of merits briefs and 1 appendix copy only when court requests, within 5 business days of notice (10th Cir. R. 31.5, 30.1(A))