Quick Reference: Formal Brief Requirements in the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

March 2023 Page 1

Note: This quick reference guide is provided by the Clerk’s Office for the convenience of counsel and litigants for reference purposes 

only and does not constitute legal advice. Counsel and litigants remain responsible for independently reviewing and complying with 

the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure and the Federal Circuit Rules.

FORMAT REQUIREMENTS

Brief Type

Appellant/ 

Petitioner

Principal

Appellee/ 

Respondent

Response

Cross-Appellant

Principal and 

Response

Appellant Response

and Reply

(Cross-Appeal)

Reply Amicus

Type-Volume Limitation1

(Pages/Words/Lines) 2

30/14,000/1,300 30/14,000/ 1,300 35/16,500/1,500 30/14,000/1,300 15/7000/650 15/7000/650

FRAP 32(a)(7)(A); 

FCR 32(b)(1)

FCR 28.1(a); 

FCR 28.1(b)

FCR 28.1(a) 

FCR 28.1(b)(1) 

FRAP

32(a)(7)(A);

FCR 32(b)(1)

FRAP 29(a)(5)

Legibility/Clarity (black image 

on light paper; text must equal 

or exceed output of laser printer; 

reproductions must be good 

copies of original)

FRAP 32(a)(1); Practice Notes to Rule 32 (Print Size of Briefs)

Page Size (81⁄2 x 11 inches) FRAP 32(a)(4); Practice Notes to Rule 32 (Copies of Patent Documents)

Text Spacing (double-spaced 

except quotes, headings, 

footnotes) FRAP 32(a)(4) Margin Size and Contents (1 

inch all sides; no unauthorized 

markings)

Typeface (if proportional, must 

include serifs except in caption) FRAP 32(a)(5); Practice Notes to Rule 32 (Footnotes)

Font Size (14 pt. proportional, or 

10.5 characters per inch 

monospaced)

FRAP 32(a)(5); Practice Notes to Rule 32 (Print Size of Briefs)

Font Style (plain, roman; italics 

or boldface permissible for 

emphasis)

FRAP 32(a)(6)

Record Citations (must be to 

appendix; following format in 

Electronic Filing Procedures)

FRAP 28(e); FCR 28(f) FCR 29(c) 

1 Headings, footnotes, and quotations contribute to the total word count. FRAP 32(f) and FCR 32(b)(2) list the only items excluded from the word count. 2 The word or line count only matters if the filer exceeds the page count. The word count applies to proportional typefaces. The line count applies to monospaced 

typefaces. See FCR 32(b)(1).
Quick Reference: Formal Brief Requirements in the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

March 2023 Page 2

Brief Type

Appellant/ 

Petitioner

Principal

Appellee/ 

Respondent

Response

Cross-Appellant

Principal and 

Response

Appellant Response

and Reply

(Cross-Appeal)

Reply Amicus

Case Citations (this court’s 

opinions cited as found in 

Federal Reporter)

FCR 28(e); FRAP 32(a)(6) 

Pagination (all page numbers 

must be centered in bottom 

margin; addendum must share 

any appendix pagination)

FCR 28(c) (addendum); FCR 32(e) (brief)

Signature (if electronic, must 

follow permissible format and 

be signed by e-filer)

FCR 25(g); FCR 32(g) 
Quick Reference: Formal Brief Requirements in the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

March 2023 Page 3

COVER REQUIREMENTS

Brief Type

Appellant/ 

Petitioner

Principal

Appellee/ 

Respondent

Response

Cross-Appellant

Principal and 

Response

Appellant Response 

and Reply

(Cross-Appeal)

Reply Amicus

Case Number (centered at top; 

must include all consolidated 

numbers)

FRAP 32(a)(2)(A); Practice Notes to Rule 32 (Filings in Companion Cases)

Name of the Court FRAP 32(a)(2)(B); FRAP 32(a)(5)(A)

Formal Caption (if lengthy, please 

continue the caption on a second 

page to avoid pushing other 

required cover information off the 

front cover

FCR 32(a)(1); Practice Notes to Rule 32 (Filings in Companion Cases)

Nature of Proceeding and Name of 

Underlying Court/Tribunal FRAP 32(a)(2)(D); Practice Notes to Rule 32 (Preferred Cover Content) 

Brief Title and Party Filer(s)

FRAP 32(a)(2)(E); other information possibly required in title: “corrected” – FCR 25(i)(2); “confidential” or 

“nonconfidential” – FCR 25.1(e)(1)(A)–(B); party and position supporting – FRAP 29(a)(4); combined with 

appendix – FCR 30(d)

Counsel Name(s) and Contact Info FRAP 32(a)(2)(F)

Confidentiality Expiration (if 

applicable) FCR 25.1(e)(1)(A) 

Claim Language (if applicable, the 

language of the claims at issue 

must appear on the inside of the 

front cover)

FCR 32(a)(3) FCR 32(a)(3)

FCR 28.1(d); N/A
Quick Reference: Formal Brief Requirements in the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

March 2023 Page 4

REQUIRED CONTENTS (must contain the items below in the order listed; see FCR 28(a))

Brief Type

Appellant/ 

Petitioner

Principal

Appellee/ 

Respondent

Response

Cross-Appellant

Principal and 

Response

Appellant Response 

and Reply

(Cross-Appeal)

Reply Amicus

Cover FRAP 32(a)(2); FCR 28(a) FRAP 29(a)(4)

Certificate of Interest (not 

required for unrepresented 

parties or government; see Form 

9)

FCR 28(a)(1); FCR 47.4(b) 

FCR 28(a)(1);

FCR 28.1(d); 

FCR 47.4(b) 

N/A FCR 29(a);

FCR 47.4(b) 

Table of Contents

(w/page references)

FRAP 28(a)(2);

FCR 28(a)(2)

FRAP 28(b);

FCR 28(a)(2) FRAP 28.1(c)(2);

FCR 28.1(d) 

FRAP 28.1(c)(3); 

FCR 28.1(d) 

FRAP 28(c); 

FRAP 28.1(c)(4) 

FRAP 

Table of Authorities 29(a)(4)(B)

(w/page references)

FRAP 28(a)(3);

FCR 28(a)(3)

FRAP 28(b)

FCR 28(a)(3)

Statement of Related Cases FCR 28(a)(4); FCR 47.5

FCR 28(a)(4);

FCR 28.1(d); 

FCR 47.5

N/A

Statement of Identity, Interest, 

and Authority to File N/A

FRAP

29(a)(4)(D)

Statement of Authorship and 

Funding

FRAP 

29(a)(4)(E)

Jurisdictional Statement FRAP 28(a)(4);

FCR 28(a)(5)

N/A 

(see FRAP 28(b) 

and FCR 28(b))

FRAP 28.1(c)(2); 

FCR 28.1(d) 

N/A (see

FRAP 28.1(c)(3); 

FCR 28.1(d)) 

N/A

Statement of the Issues FRAP 28(a)(5)

FCR 28(a)(6)

Statement of the Case and Facts

(including appropriate record 

references and citing any 

published decision from the 

proceedings)

FRAP 28(a)(6)

FCR 28(a)(7)

N/A (see

FRAP 28.1(c)(2); 

FCR 28.1(d) 

N/A (see

FRAP 28.1(c)(3); 

FCR 28.1(d)) N/A

Summary of the Argument (must 

not merely repeat argument 

headings)

FRAP 28(a)(7); 

FCR 28(a)(8)

FRAP 28(b); 

FCR 28(a)(8) FRAP 28.1(c)(2) 

FCR 28.1(d) FRAP 28.1(c)(3)

Argument FRAP 28(a)(8); 

FCR 28(a)(9)

FRAP 28(b); 

FCR 28(a)(9) FRAP 28(c) FRAP 29(a)(4)(F)

Standard of Review (must 

appear with its own heading 

either within the

argument section or 

immediately preceding the 

argument

section) 

FRAP 28(a)(8); 

FCR 28(a)(9)

N/A (see

FRAP 28(b); 

FCR 28(b)) 

N/A (see

FRAP 28.1(c)(2); 

FCR 28.1(d) 

N/A (see

FRAP 28.1(c)(3); FCR 

28.1(d)) 

N/A
Quick Reference: Formal Brief Requirements in the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

March 2023 Page 5

Brief Type

Appellant/ 

Petitioner

Principal

Appellee/ 

Respondent

Response

Cross-Appellant

Principal and 

Response

Appellant Response 

and Reply

(Cross-Appeal)

Reply Amicus

Conclusion and Relief Sought FRAP 28(a)(9);

FCR 28(a)(10)

FRAP 28(b);

FCR 28(a)(10) FRAP 28.1(c)(2) FRAP 28.1(c)(3) 

Addendum Containing 

Opinions, Orders, Judgments 

Appealed (requirement satisfied 

when appendix bound with 

brief)

FCR 28(c)(1)) N/A FCR 28.1(d) N/A

Addendum Containing Patent 

(requirement satisfied when 

appendix bound with brief)

FCR 28(c)(1)B) N/A

Other Addenda (if required) FRAP 28(f); FRAP 32.1(b)

Certificate of Compliance

(compliance with type-volume 

limitations; see Form 19)

FCR 28(a)(12); 

FCR 32(b)(3) FCR 28.1(c); FCR 32(b)(3) FRAP 29(a)(4)(G)

Proof of Service (only required 

when filing cannot be served by 

CM/ECF; see Form 30)

FRAP 25(d); FCR 25(e) 
Quick Reference: Formal Brief Requirements in the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

March 2023 Page 6

DISCRETIONARY CONTENTS (apply to all briefs)

Introduction Not Required Oral Argument Statement

Constitutional Challenge May be included in a brief, but party must file a separate notice if challenge falls under FRAP 44; see the Practice 

Notes to Rule 44 (Raising a Constitutional Question in a Brief or Motion)

Incorporated Motion Expressly prohibited except under FCR 27(e) and FCR 27(f) (see FCR 27(g))

Exhibits, Attachments, Addenda Prohibited except as permitted or required by FRAP 28(f), FCR 28(a)(11), FCR 28(a)(12), FCR 30(d), FCR 32.1(b)

CONFIDENTIALITY/PRIVACY REQUIREMENTS (apply to all briefs)

Personal Information Redacted FCR 25.1(b)

Confidentiality Requirements:

• Filed in two versions if 

document contains material 

permitted by FCR 25.1(d) 

Confidential Version

• Confidential material 

bracketed/highlighted

• Does not exceed word limit

Nonconfidential Version

• Table of contents description 

of redacted material

• Legends on pages with 

redactions

• General descriptor in place 

of redacted material

FCR 25.1(d); FCR 25.1(e); Practice Notes to Rule 25.1

Cover Letter re: Access (if 

applicable, identify parties or 

counsel who are restricted from 

accessing confidential material)

FCR 25.1(a)(2) 

Certificate of Confidential 

Material (if applicable, certify 

the number of confidential 

words in the brief; see Form 31)

FCR 25.1(e)(2) 
Quick Reference: Formal Brief Requirements in the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

March 2023 Page 7

PAPER COPY REQUIREMENTS

Brief Type

Appellant/ 

Petitioner

Principal

Appellee/ 

Respondent

Response

Cross-Appellant

Principal and 

Response

Appellant Response

and Reply

(Cross-Appeal)

Reply Amicus

Cover Colors Blue Red Red Yellow Gray Green

Timing (after requested by 

court during initial merits 

consideration; within 5 business 

days of filing during en banc 

consideration) FCR 25(c)(3)

Number (6 during initial merits 

consideration; 26 during en 

banc consideration)

Binding (secure, left-hand side, 

lies flat when opened, does not 

obscure text)

FRAP 32(a)(3); FCR 32(h); Practice Notes to Rule 32 (Copies of Patent Documents)

Printing (single-sided except for 

addenda/appendix) FRAP 32(a)(1)(A); FCR 32(d)