United States Court of Appeals for the First 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 Rules of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit — 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. CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT — If applicable · FRAP 26.1; 28(a)(1)
3. TABLE OF CONTENTS — Required · FRAP 28(a)(2)
4. TABLE OF AUTHORITIES — Required · FRAP 28(a)(3)
5. STATEMENT REGARDING ORAL ARGUMENT — If applicable · 1st Cir. R. 34.0(a) (optional)
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 — Required · 1st Cir. R. 28.0(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. 12) / (Add. 5) — common practice; no mandated prefix verified

Appendix (plus mandatory Addendum bound with brief)

Required. Pages are numbered like Add. 12. (FRAP 30; 1st Cir. R. 30.0)

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

Addendum (1st Cir. R. 28.0(a)) is bound at back of brief with its own TOC and filed as one PDF with the brief: judgment/order appealed from with supporting opinion/findings/transcript ruling, plus lower-level decisions (magistrate R&R, ALJ). Optional record excerpts may be added up to 25 pages. Each appendix page must be clearly numbered.

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)
• Certificate of compliance Form 6 (1st Cir. Appendix of Forms)

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)
• Addendum is the most-cited deficiency; judges rely heavily on it (Notice to the Bar, Feb. 27, 2017)
• Number of paper copies under 1st Cir. R. 31.0 not verified

Filing: CM/ECF mandatory for counsel (1st Cir. R. 25.0); brief + addendum filed as a single PDF; pro se may file on paper