PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

EDITOR’S NOTES

This document contains proposed substantive and non-substantive amendments to 

the Federal Circuit Rules of Practice. 

Rules without any amendments are omitted. 

All hyperlinks are for illustrative purposes only and will not work. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

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Table of Contents 

Federal Circuit Rule 1 ............................................................................................... 1

Scope of Rules; Title

Federal Circuit Rule 3 ............................................................................................... 3

Appeal as of Right – How Taken

Federal Circuit Rule 4 ............................................................................................... 5

Appeal as of Right – Untimely Notice

Federal Circuit Rule 5 ............................................................................................... 8

Appeal by Permission

Federal Circuit Rule 8 ............................................................................................... 9

Stay or Injunction Pending Appeal

Federal Circuit Rule 10 ........................................................................................... 11

The Record on Appeal

Federal Circuit Rule 11 ........................................................................................... 13

Forwarding the Record

Federal Circuit Rule 12 ........................................................................................... 14

Federal Circuit Rule 15 ........................................................................................... 17

Review of an Agency Order – How Obtained

Federal Circuit Rule 17 ........................................................................................... 26

Filing the Record

Federal Circuit Rule 18 ........................................................................................... 29

Stay Pending Review

Federal Circuit Rule 21 ........................................................................................... 31

Writs of Mandamus and Prohibition, and Other Extraordinary Writs

Federal Circuit Rule 24 ........................................................................................... 33

Proceeding in Forma Pauperis

Federal Circuit Rule 25 ........................................................................................... 35

Filing and Service

Federal Circuit Rule 25.1 ........................................................................................ 45

Privacy and Confidentiality

Federal Circuit Rule 26 ........................................................................................... 52

Computing and Extending Time
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

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Federal Circuit Rule 26.1 ........................................................................................ 56

Disclosure Statement

Federal Circuit Rule 27 ........................................................................................... 57

Motions

Federal Circuit Rule 28 ........................................................................................... 62

Briefs

Federal Circuit Rule 28.1 ........................................................................................ 67

Cross-Appeals

Federal Circuit Rule 29 ........................................................................................... 70

Brief of an Amicus Curiae

Federal Circuit Rule 30 ........................................................................................... 71

Appendix to the Briefs

Federal Circuit Rule 31 ........................................................................................... 80

Serving and Filing Briefs

Federal Circuit Rule 32 ........................................................................................... 83

Form of Briefs, Appendices, and Other Papers; Length

Federal Circuit Rule 32.1 ........................................................................................ 88

Citing Judicial Dispositions

Federal Circuit Rule 33 ........................................................................................... 91

Appeal Conferences

Federal Circuit Rule 33.1 ........................................................................................ 92

Mediation Guidelines

Federal Circuit Rule 34 ........................................................................................... 93

Oral Argument

Federal Circuit Rule 35 ........................................................................................... 98

En Banc Determination

Federal Circuit Rule 36 ......................................................................................... 105

Entry of Judgment

Federal Circuit Rule 39 ......................................................................................... 106

Costs

Federal Circuit Rule 40 ......................................................................................... 108

Petition for Panel Rehearing

Federal Circuit Rule 41 ......................................................................................... 112
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Issuance of Mandate

Federal Circuit Rule 45 ......................................................................................... 113

Clerk of Court’s Duties

Federal Circuit Rule 46 ......................................................................................... 115

Attorneys

Federal Circuit Rule 47 ......................................................................................... 117

Adoption of Local Rules

Federal Circuit Rule 47.2 ...................................................................................... 118

Panels

Federal Circuit Rule 47.3 ...................................................................................... 119

Representation and Appearance

Federal Circuit Rule 47.4 ...................................................................................... 121

Certificate of Interest

Federal Circuit Rule 47.5 ...................................................................................... 123

Statement of Related Cases

Federal Circuit Rule 47.7 ...................................................................................... 124

Attorney Fees and Expenses Incurred in This Court

Federal Circuit Rule 47.9 ...................................................................................... 126

Petition for Judicial Review Under 5 U.S.C. § 7703(d)

Federal Circuit Rule 47.10 .................................................................................... 128

Dismissal of a Bankruptcy Stay Case

Federal Circuit Rule 47.12 .................................................................................... 128

[Reserved]

Federal Circuit Rule 50 ......................................................................................... 129

Employee and Former Employee

Federal Circuit Rule 52 ......................................................................................... 131

Fees

Federal Circuit Rule 54 ......................................................................................... 134

Library

FEDERAL CIRCUIT ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE RULES .................................................. 135
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 1 

Scope of Rules; Title 

(a) Reference to District and Trial Courts and Agencies. 

(1) The terms “district court” and “trial court” include: 

(A) the United States district courts; 

(B) the United States Court of International Trade; 

(C) the United States Court of Federal Claims; and 

(D) if applicable, the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans 

Claims. 

(2) The term “agency” includes an administrative agency, board, 

commission, bureau, or officer of the United States, as well as certain 

arbitrators, including each of the following: 

(A) the Patent Trial and Appeal Board; 

(B) the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark 

Office; 

(C) the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board; 

(D) the United States International Trade Commission; 

(E) the Secretary of Commerce acting under U.S. note 6 to 

subchapter X of chapter 98 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule 

of the United States (relating to importation of instruments or 

apparatus); 

(F) the Secretary of Agriculture acting under 7 U.S.C. § 2461; 

(G) the Merit Systems Protection Board; 

(H) arbitrators whose decisions are reviewable by this court; 

(I) the Boards of Contract Appeals in federal agencies; 

(J) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs acting under 38 U.S.C. 

§ 502; 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 1 

(K) the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission acting under 

3 U.S.C. § 454; 

(L) the Federal Labor Relations Authority acting under part D of 

subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 3; 

(M) the Secretary of Labor or the Occupational Safety and Health 

Review Commission, under part C of subchapter II of chapter 

5 of title 3; 

(N) the Office of Compliance acting under 2 U.S.C. § 1407(a)(1); 

(O) the Government Accountability Office Personnel Appeals 

Board; or 

(P) the Bureau of Justice Assistance. 

(b) Rules of the Court of International Trade, Court of Federal Claims, 

and Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. 

(1) Reference in these rules to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 

includes analogous rules of the Court of International Trade and the 

Court of Federal Claims. 

(2) Reference in these rules to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 

includes rules of the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims only 

where applicable, because that court’s rules are derived from the 

Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure. 

(c) Title. 

These rules are to be known as the Federal Circuit Rules. 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 3 

Appeal as of Right – How Taken 

(a) Opinion; Certified Copy of Docket Entries. 

When a notice of appeal is filed, the trial court clerk of court must promptly 

send to this court’s clerk of court a copy of the opinion, if any, that 

accompanied the judgment or order being appealed. The trial court clerk of 

court must certify the copy of the docket entries and send it with the notice 

of appeal. 

(b) Petition for Certification of Judgment of the High Court of the 

Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. 

A petition for certification of a judgment of the High Court of the Trust 

Territory of the Pacific Islands under the Compact of Free Association: 

Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Marshall Islands, Title II, Title 

One, Article VII, § 174(c), and the Compact of Free Association: Palau, Title 

II, Title One, Article VII, § 174(c), in 48 U.S.C. § 1901 note and § 1931 note, 

must be filed with this court’s clerk of court, but otherwise is deemed to be 

an appeal from the judgment of a district court for purposes of these rules. 

(c) Appeals Under 15 U.S.C. § 3416(c) and Petitions Under 42 U.S.C. 

§ 300aa-12(f). The filing fee for a notice of appeal under 15 U.S.C. § 3416(c) 

or a petition for review under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(f) must be paid to the 

circuit clerk of court. Upon docketing of the appeal, the circuit clerk of court 

will forward instructions to the trial court clerk of court to comply with 

Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 3(d) and Federal Circuit Rule 3(a). 
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Practice Notes to Rule 3 

FAILURE TO FILE A NOTICE OF APPEAL. 

Only a party that has filed a notice of appeal or cross-appeal may attack all or any 

part of the trial court judgment. Any other party in the trial court not filing a 

notice of appeal may participate in the appeal as an appellee but may not seek to 

overturn or modify the judgment. 

FEES. 

The fee schedule is set forth in Federal Circuit Rule 52. See also 28 U.S.C. § 1913, 

note 1 [Judicial Conference Schedule of Fees]. 

FILING AND DOCKETING AN APPEAL. 

An appeal is filed when the notice of appeal is received by the trial court. An 

appeal sent to this court by the trial court clerk of court is docketed when it is 

listed on the docket and assigned a docket number. 

APPEALS UNDER 15 U.S.C. § 3416(c) AND PETITIONS UNDER 42 U.S.C. 

§ 300aa-12(f). 

Notices of appeal under 15 U.S.C. § 3416(c) from district courts concerning the 

enforcement of presidential subpoenas and orders during a natural gas shortage 

and petitions for review under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(f) from the Court of Federal 

Claims vaccine determinations are filed in this court, unlike other appeals from 

those courts in which the notice of appeal is filed with the clerks of those courts. 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 4 

Appeal as of Right – Untimely Notice 

(a) Statutory Deadlines. 

This court cannot waive or extend the statutory deadlines for the filing of a 

notice of appeal or petition for review. 

(b) Untimely Notice or Petition. 

The clerk of court may return a notice of appeal or petition for review that 

is untimely on its face. 
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Practice Notes to Rule 4 

TIME TO APPEAL. 

The table below is provided only as a convenience for counsel, who should refer to 

the statutes and case law before determining the period available for taking an 

appeal. Counsel should also be aware of the district court’s authority under 

Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 4 to extend or reopen the time for appeal. 

COURT STATUTE TIME 

District Courts 28 U.S.C. § 2107 30 days 

(60 days if U.S. is a party) 

15 U.S.C. § 3416(c) 30 days 

Court of International 

Trade 

28 U.S.C. § 2645(c) 60 days 

Court of Federal Claims Appeals 28 U.S.C. § 2522 60 days 

Petitions 42 U.S.C. 

§ 300aa-12(f) 

60 days 

Court of Appeals for 

Veterans Claims 

38 U.S.C. § 7292 60 days 

For petitions for review from agencies, see the Practice Note to Rule 15. Existing 

case law broadly requires this court to enforce statutory deadlines that limit the 

time allowed for the filing of a notice of appeal or petition for review, and to 

dismiss a case if the applicable deadline is not met, even if no party objects to 

such a filing as untimely and even if the filer asserts equitable grounds for 

excusing untimeliness. Parties should refer to the statutes and applicable case 

law to determine whether, in a particular situation, this court may disregard a 

timeliness defect not identified by a party or excuse non-compliance with a time 

limit for equitable reasons. 
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Practice Notes to Rule 4 

DUTY TO NOTIFY THE CLERK OF POSTJUDGMENT MOTIONS 

PENDING IN THE TRIAL COURT. 

Even though the district court clerk must forward copies of later docket entries 

under Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 3(d), the appellant should promptly 

notify this court’s clerk if any party in the case files a motion listed in Federal 

Rule of Appellate Procedure 4(a)(4). Any other party may also notify the clerk in 

such a case. This court’s clerk of court will deactivate an appeal or petition if a 

motion listed in Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 4(a)(4) remains pending. 

Deactivation of the appeal suspends all further action in the court of appeals. 

Upon reactivation, the clerk of court will reschedule the next required filings and 

notify counsel. 

EXPEDITED PROCEEDINGS. 

The overall time for an appeal can be accelerated by the expeditious filing of a 

notice of appeal shortly after entry of final judgment in the trial forum. When a 

party is considering seeking expedited proceedings on appeal, the party should 

consider filing its notice of appeal and principal brief well before the applicable 

deadlines. For further information on expedition procedures, see the Practice 

Note to Rule 27. 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 5 

Appeal by Permission 

(a) Petition. 

A petition for permission to appeal must be accompanied by a copy of the 

docket entries in the trial court. 

(b) Record; Certified Copy of Docket Entries. 

In an allowed appeal, the trial court must retain the record as provided in 

Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 11(e) and in Federal Circuit Rule 

11(a). The trial court clerk of court must send a certified copy of the docket 

entries instead of the record. 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 8 

Stay or Injunction Pending Appeal 

(a) Notice of Appeal; Trial Court’s Judgment or Order. 

A motion for a stay or injunction pending appeal must be accompanied by 

the following: 

(1) a copy of the filed notice of appeal or other document required to 

invoke this court’s jurisdiction; 

(2) a copy of the trial court’s judgment or order on the merits; 

(3) a copy of any order on the motion for a stay or injunction pending 

appeal; and 

(4) a certificate of interest under Federal Circuit Rule 47.4. 

(b) Notice When Requesting Immediate Action. 

A party moving for a stay or injunction pending appeal and requesting 

immediate action by the court must—before filing—notify all parties that a 

motion will be filed. 

(c) Statement. 

If an initial motion for a stay or injunction pending appeal was not made in 

the trial court under Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 8(a)(1), the 

movant must include in its motion in this court a statement explaining why 

it was not practicable to do so. If an initial motion for a stay or injunction 

pending appeal was made in the trial court and remains pending, the 

movant must include in its motion in this court a statement specifically 

identifying when it filed the motion in the trial court and why it is not 

practicable to await a ruling by the trial court on that motion. 
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Practice Notes to Rule 8 

FORMAT REQUIREMENTS. 

See Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 27 for format requirements concerning 

motions. 

EMERGENCY RULE 8 FILINGS.

Parties should notify the Clerk’s Office as soon as possible when filing (or in 

anticipation of filing) a Rule 8 motion. On weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

(Eastern Time), please call the Clerk’s Office at 202-275-8055. To notify the 

Clerk’s Office of emergency Rule 8 filings outside of normal operating hours that 

require action before the next business day, please call 202-275-8049 and email 

emergencyfilings@cafc.uscourts.gov. Absent proper notification, the Clerk’s Office 

may not be able to act on an after-hours, emergency filing before the next 

business day. 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 10 

The Record on Appeal 

(a) Delay in Preparing the Transcript.

When a trial transcript is not filed in the trial court within sixty (60) days 

after it was ordered, the trial court may direct the parties to proceed under 

Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 10(c) or (d). 

(b) Agreed Statement. 

The filing of an agreed statement by the parties under Federal Rule of 

Appellate Procedure 10(d) does not relieve them of their obligation to 

compile and file the complete appendix required by Federal Rule of 

Appellate Procedure and Federal Circuit Rule 30.
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Practice Notes to Rule 10 

PROCEDURES TO EXPEDITE DELIVERY OF TRANSCRIPTS. 

District courts and regional circuit councils have procedures to expedite 

transcripts that may be available to counsel experiencing difficulty with late 

delivery of transcripts by court reporters. 

TRANSCRIPT COMPLIANCE; TRANSCRIPT PURCHASE ORDER FORM. 

To comply with Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 10(b)(1)(B), the appellant 

may file a certificate with this court stating no transcript will be ordered. The 

court does not have a form for such a certificate, but the certificate will need to 

meet the standard requirements for any filing under Federal Rule of Appellate 

Procedure 32 and Federal Circuit Rule 32. Parties are not required to file the 

certificate if a transcript is being ordered from the reporter. Parties are not 

required to file the transcript purchase order form (Federal Circuit Form 22) with 

this court, regardless of whether a transcript will be ordered. Court reporters 

follow Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 11(b) for preparing transcripts and 

notifying the court. 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 11 

Forwarding the Record 

(a) Retaining the Record; Certified Copy of the Docket Entries; 

Archival Storage. 

(1) The district court clerk must: 

(A) retain the assembled record unless this court, on motion or 

sua sponte, orders otherwise; and 

(B) send to this court a certified copy of the docket entries instead 

of the record. 

(2) Archival Storage. The district court clerk of court must not send 

the record to archival storage until this court issues its mandate. 

(b) Access of Parties and Counsel to the Original Record. 

(1) Material Not Subject to a Protective Order; Inspection and 

Copying. When a notice of appeal is filed, the trial court clerk of 

court must permit a party or counsel for a party to inspect and copy 

the nonconfidential original papers, transcripts, and exhibits to 

prepare the appendix. This inspection and copying is subject to 

reasonable regulation by the trial court. 

(2) Material Subject to a Protective Order; Inspection and 

Copying. A party or counsel for a party must be permitted to 

inspect and copy material in the record governed by a protective 

order of the trial court in accordance with that order. If this court 

modifies or annuls the protective order, the access of a party or 

counsel is governed by the order of this court. 

(c) Protective Orders. 

Federal Circuit Rule 25.1(c) applies to the status of trial court protective 

orders and modification thereof. 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 12 

(a) Notice of Docketing. 

The clerk of court must notify all parties of the date the appeal is docketed, 

the assigned appeal number, and the short case name. 

(b) Official Caption. 

The clerk of court must provide the parties with the official caption for the 

case at the time of docketing. Any objection to the official caption must be 

made promptly. 
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Practice Notes to Rule 12 

FILING AND DOCKETING AN APPEAL. 

An appeal is filed when the notice of appeal is received by the trial court. An 

appeal sent to this court by the trial court clerk of court is docketed when it is 

listed on the docket and assigned a docket number. 

REPRESENTATION STATEMENT. 

The requirements of Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 12(b) are met by filing 

the entry of appearance required under Federal Circuit Rule 47.3. If the attorney 

who filed the notice of appeal will not be representing any parties on appeal, the 

court will not require that attorney to file an entry of appearance or 

representation statement. 

TRIAL COURT INTERVENORS. 

Parties permitted to intervene in the trial court as plaintiffs or defendants will 

usually be identified only as plaintiff or defendant on the official caption to avoid 

confusion with any third party permitted to intervene in the appeal. 

TRANSFERRED APPEAL. 

An appeal transferred from another court will be given a new docket number and 

may be consolidated by the clerk of court with any previously docketed appeal 

from the same judgment or order. 

PARTICIPATION BY APPELLEES. 

It is the court’s usual practice to include in the official caption all parties 

participating in the court below at the time of entry of judgment, even if they are 

not participating in the appeal. Parties included in the trial court title that have 

an adverse interest to the appellant but that are not cross-appealing will be 

deemed appellees. An appellee desiring not to file a brief or join in another party’s 

brief should promptly notify the clerk of court. The clerk of court will remove the 

party’s designation as an appellee from the official caption. 
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Practice Notes to Rule 12 

CONSOLIDATION. 

An appeal in a case that was consolidated in the trial court will be docketed under 

the title used for the consolidated case. When more than one party appeals from 

the same trial court case, the appeals or cross-appeals will usually be consolidated 

by the clerk of court. Other appeals may be consolidated on motion or by the court 

sua sponte. 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 15 

Review of an Agency Order – How Obtained 

(a) Petition for Review or Notice of Appeal; Payment of Fees; Contact 

Information of Counsel or Unrepresented Petitioner or Appellant. 

(1) From the Patent and Trademark Office. To appeal a decision of 

the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, the Trademark Trial and Appeal 

Board, or the Director under 15 U.S.C. § 1071(a), the appellant must 

file in the Patent and Trademark Office a notice of appeal within the 

time prescribed by law. The appellant must simultaneously file the 

notice with the clerk of court. The Director must promptly advise the 

clerk of court whether the notice is timely. 

(2) From Another Agency.

(A) Except as provided in Federal Circuit Rule 15(a)(1), to petition 

or appeal from a decision or order of an agency, the petitioner 

must file a petition for review or notice of appeal with this 

court’s clerk of court within the time prescribed by law. 

(B) A petition filed by the Director of the Office of Personnel 

Management must be filed as prescribed in Federal Circuit 

Rule 47.9. 

(3) Contact Information of Counsel or Unrepresented Petitioner 

or Appellant. Each petition for review or notice of appeal must 

contain the counsel’s—or the unrepresented petitioner’s or 

appellant’s—name, current address, email address, and telephone 

number. 

(4) Filing and Payment. . A notice of appeal or petition for review 

submitted under this rule along with the fee set forth in Federal 

Circuit Rule 52, or a motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis or 

other waiver, must be provided to this court in accordance with 

Federal Circuit Rule 25(b). 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 15 

(b) Docketing Petition or Appeal; Notice of Docketing. 

(1) Docketing Upon Receipt. In a petition for review or appeal from 

an administrative agency, the clerk of court will docket a timely 

appeal or petition upon receipt. 

(2) Untimeliness. The clerk of court may return a petition for review or 

notice of appeal that is untimely on its face. For an appeal or petition 

docketed by the court, the agency or any party may advise the clerk 

of court concerning the untimeliness of the appeal or petition and the 

clerk may order the appellant to show cause why the appeal or 

petition should not be dismissed and refer the appellant’s response to 

the court. 

(3) Notice of Docketing. The clerk of court must notify all parties of 

the date the appeal or petition for review is docketed, the assigned 

appeal number, and the short case name. 

(4) Official Caption. The clerk of court will provide the parties with 

the official caption for the case at the time of docketing. Any 

objection to the official caption must be made promptly. 

(c) Statement Concerning Discrimination. 

(1) Petitioner’s Statement. Within fourteen (14) days after a petition 

for review of a decision of the Merit Systems Protection Board or a 

decision of an arbitrator under 5 U.S.C. § 7121 is docketed, the 

petitioner must file a statement indicating whether or not a claim of 

discrimination by reason of race, sex, age, national origin, or 

handicapped condition has been or will be made in the case. A 

petitioner must file the statement on the form prescribed by the 

court. 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 15 

(2) Response When a Claim of Discrimination is Raised in a 

Motion or Brief. If the petitioner in a case described in Federal 

Circuit Rule 15(c)(1) files a motion or brief involving a claim of 

discrimination as to the case before the court, the respondent must 

state, in a responsive motion or brief, whether the respondent 

concurs or disagrees with the petitioner’s statement concerning 

discrimination and indicate whether or not the respondent believes 

that the court has jurisdiction over the petition for review, with 

reasons provided as necessary. 

(3) Failure to File. Failure to file a completed discrimination 

statement may result in dismissal of the petition for review. 

(d) Arbitrator Contact Information. 

Any petition for review from an arbitrator’s decision must include the 

arbitrator’s current mailing address, email address, and telephone number. 

(e) Notice of Election Under 35 U.S.C. § 141 or 15 U.S.C. § 1071(a)(1). 

A party filing a notice of election under 35 U.S.C. § 141 or 15 U.S.C. 

§ 1071(a)(1) with the Director of Patents and Trademarks must file a copy 

of the notice with the clerk of court, and the clerk of court must dismiss the 

appeal. 

(f) Judicial Review Under 38 U.S.C. § 502. 

(1) Time for Filing. A petition for judicial review of an action of the 

Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs under 38 U.S.C. 

§ 502 must be filed with the clerk of court within sixty (60) days after 

issuance of the action challenged in the petition. 

(2) Parties. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs must be named the 

respondent. 

(3) Contents. The petition for judicial review must describe how the 

persons seeking review are adversely affected and must specifically 

identify either of the following: 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 15 

(A) the specific rules or other actions covered by 5 U.S.C. 

§ 552(a)(1) at issue in the petition; or 

(B) the notice-and-comment rulemaking process covered by 5 

U.S.C. § 553 at issue in the petition. 

(4) Procedure. Except as provided in Federal Circuit Rule 15(e), the 

procedures applicable to a petition for judicial review under 38 

U.S.C. § 502 are the same as those for a petition for review under 

Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 15 and Federal Circuit Rule 15. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

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Practice Notes to Rule 15 

TIME TO APPEAL OR PETITION. 

The table below is provided only as a convenience to parties, who should refer to 

the statutes, rules, and case law before determining the period available for 

taking an appeal or filing a petition for review and the event that starts the 

period. 

AGENCY STATUTE TIME 

Arbitrator 5 U.S.C. §§ 7121, 7703 60 days 

Merit Systems Protection 

Board 

5 U.S.C. § 7703 60 days 

Government Accountability 

Office Personnel Appeals 

Board 

31 U.S.C. § 755 30 days 

Patent Trial and Appeal 

Board; Trademark Trial 

and Appeal Board; Director 

of Patents and Trademarks 

35 U.S.C. § 142 

15 U.S.C. § 1071 

37 C.F.R. §§ 90.3(a)(1), 

2.145 

2 months or 63 days 

International Trade 

Commission 

19 U.S.C. § 1337 60 days 

Board of Contract Appeals 41 U.S.C. § 7107 120 days 
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Practice Notes to Rule 15 

AGENCY STATUTE TIME 

Secretary of Agriculture 7 U.S.C. § 2461 60 days 

Secretary of Veterans 

Affairs 

38 U.S.C. § 502 

Fed. Cir. R. 15(f) 

60 days 

Secretary of Labor; 

Occupational Safety and 

Health Review 

Commission; Federal 

Labor Relations Authority; 

certain Merit Systems 

Protection Board cases and 

Equal Employment 

Opportunity Commission 

cases 

28 U.S.C. § 1296 30 days 

Board of Directors, Office 

of Compliance 

2 U.S.C. § 1407(c)(3) 90 days 

Bureau of Justice 

Assistance 

42 U.S.C. § 3796c-2 90 days 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

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Practice Notes to Rule 15 

FILING IN THE PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE. 

A notice of appeal mailed to the Patent and Trademark Office should be 

addressed: 

Office of the Solicitor 

United States Patent and Trademark Office Mail Stop 8 

Post Office Box 1450 

Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450 

The general counsel requests that hand delivery, if any, be made between the 

hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to: 

Office of the General Counsel 

Patent and Trademark Office 

Madison East 

10B20 600 Dulany Street 

Alexandria, Virginia 22314 

COPY OF DECISION OR ORDER. 

A party filing a petition for review or notice of appeal is urged to attach a copy of 

the decision or order of the agency for which review is sought. 

INTERVENTION. 

A party with the right to appeal or to petition for review may not, instead of 

exercising that right, intervene in another appeal or petition to seek relief in its 

own cause. Because the United States or an agency of the United States is often 

the only appellee or respondent in cases under this rule, any other party seeking 

to intervene on the side of the appellee or respondent must move for leave to 

intervene within thirty (30) days after the date when the petition for review or 

notice of appeal is filed. A motion for leave to intervene out of time will be granted 

only in extraordinary circumstances. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

24 

Practice Notes to Rule 15 

STATEMENT CONCERNING DISCRIMINATION. 

Using Federal Circuit Form 10 satisfies the requirements under Federal Circuit 

Rule 15(c). The clerk of court will include Form 10 in the docketing package 

provided to any unrepresented petitioner seeking review of a decision of the Merit 

Systems Protection Board or an arbitrator. 

TIMELINESS. 

Except in inter partes appeals from decisions of the Patent Trial and Appeal 

Board or the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, parties in agency proceedings 

do not have the 14-day “cross-appeal” period that Federal Rule of Appellate 

Procedure 4(a)(3) grants to parties appealing from trial courts. The court cannot 

waive the statutory time requirements for filing a petition for review or notice of 

appeal. 

CONSOLIDATION. 

When more than one party appeals, cross-appeals, or petitions for review from 

rulings in the same underlying proceeding, the petitions or appeals will usually 

be consolidated by the clerk of court. Appeals or petitions for review from 

decisions involving the same or related patents from the same tribunal will 

usually be consolidated. Other appeals or petitions may be consolidated on motion 

or by the court sua sponte. 

ARBITRATION AWARDS IN THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE. 

These arbitration awards may not be appealed to this court. 

PROPER GOVERNMENTAL PARTY IN APPEALS FROM BOARDS OF 

CONTRACT APPEALS. 

In appeals from the boards of contract appeals, the title of the head of the federal 

agency is listed in the caption along with the name of the agency he or she heads. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

25 

Practice Notes to Rule 15 

FILING AND DOCKETING A PETITION FOR REVIEW OR APPEAL. 

A petition for review or appeal is filed when the petition for review or notice of 

appeal is received by the court or, in the case of an appeal from the Patent and 

Trademark Office, when the notice of appeal is received by the Director of the 

United States Patent and Trademark Office. A petition for review or appeal is 

docketed when it is listed on the electronic docket and assigned a docket number. 

CHANGE OF HEAD OF AGENCY. 

In appeals in which the proper governmental party is the head of the agency, 

counsel for the government should promptly notify the clerk of court of any 

change that would affect the accuracy of the caption. 

EXPEDITED PROCEEDINGS. 

The overall time for a review of an agency decision can be accelerated by the 

expeditious filing of a notice of appeal or petition for review shortly after entry of 

the reviewable agency order. When the appellant or petitioner is considering 

seeking expedited proceedings on appeal, the party should consider filing its 

notice of appeal or petition for review and principal brief well before the deadline 

for such actions. For further information on expedition procedures, see the 

Practice Notes to Rule 27. 

PARTICIPATION BY APPELLEES/RESPONDENTS. 

An appellee or respondent desiring not to file a brief or join in another party’s 

brief should promptly notify the clerk of court. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

26 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 17 

Filing the Record 

(a) Retaining the Record; Sending the Certified List. 

The agency must retain the record and send to this court a certified list or 

index unless this court, on motion or sua sponte, orders otherwise. This 

requirement also applies to arbitrators whose decisions are reviewable by 

this court. 

(b) Certified List or Index. 

(1) From the United States Patent and Trademark Office. No later 

than forty (40) days after this court dockets an appeal, the Director 

must send to the clerk of court the certified list and a copy of the 

decision or order appealed. This constitutes compliance with the 

requirement of 35 U.S.C. § 143 and 15 U.S.C. § 1071(a)(3) for 

sending a certified record to the court. 

(2) From Another Agency. No later than forty (40) days after the 

court serves a petition for review or notice of appeal on an agency, 

the agency must send to the clerk of court the certified list or index 

and a copy of the decision or order being appealed. 

(3) Index of VA Rulemaking Record. In petitions for review under 38 

U.S.C. § 502, if a petitioner has not adequately identified the 

rulemaking proceeding complained of, so that the Secretary of 

Veterans Affairs cannot send the certified list or index within the 

time provided in Federal Circuit Rule 17(b)(2), the Secretary must 

promptly move to waive or extend the time for filing the certified list 

or index. 

(c) Service of Certified List or Index by Agency. 

When an agency sends a certified list or index to the clerk of court, it must 

simultaneously serve a copy on the parties and provide a certificate of 

service to the clerk of court. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

27 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 17 

(d) Access of Parties and Counsel to Original Record. 

(1) Material Not Subject to a Protective Order; Inspection and 

Copying. When a petition for review or notice of appeal is filed, the 

agency must permit a party or counsel for a party to inspect and copy 

the nonconfidential original papers, transcripts, and exhibits to 

prepare the appendix. This inspection and copying is subject to 

reasonable regulation by the agency. 

(2) Material Subject to a Protective Order; Inspection and 

Copying. A party or counsel for a party must be permitted to 

inspect and copy material contained in the record governed by a 

protective order of an agency in accordance with that order. If this 

court modifies or annuls the protective order, the access of a party or 

counsel is governed by the order of this court. 

(e) Protective Orders. 

Federal Circuit Rule 25.1(c) applies to the status of agency protective 

orders and modification thereof. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

28 

Practice Notes to Rule 17 

TRANSCRIPT OF AGENCY PROCEEDING AT GOVERNMENT 

EXPENSE. 

These rules do not require an agency to provide a party with a written transcript 

at the agency’s expense. Any party seeking a written transcript of a hearing 

should direct the request to the agency, not the court. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

29 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 18 

Stay Pending Review 

(a) Petition for Review or Notice of Appeal; Agency Order. 

A petition for review or notice of appeal must be filed with this court before 

it will entertain a motion for a stay or injunction pending review. A motion 

for stay or injunction pending review must be accompanied by a certificate 

of interest under Federal Circuit Rule 47.4, a copy of the agency decision on 

the merits, and a copy of any agency order on the motion for a stay or 

injunction pending review. 

(b) Notice When Requesting Immediate Action. 

A party moving for a stay or injunction pending review and requesting 

immediate action by the court must–before filing–notify all parties that a 

motion will be filed. 

(c) Statement. 

If an initial motion for a stay pending review was not made in the agency 

under Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 18(a), the movant must include 

in its motion in this court a statement explaining why it was not 

practicable to do so. If an initial motion for a stay pending review was made 

in the agency and remains pending, the movant must include in its motion 

in this court a statement specifically identifying when it filed the motion in 

the agency and why it is not practicable to await a ruling by the agency. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

30 

Practice Notes to Rule 18 

FORMAT REQUIREMENTS. 

See Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 27 for format requirements concerning 

motions. 

EMERGENCY RULE 18 FILINGS.

Parties should notify the Clerk’s Office as soon as possible when filing (or in 

anticipation of filing) a Rule 18 motion. On weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

(Eastern Time), please call the Clerk’s Office at 202-275-8055. To notify the 

Clerk’s Office of emergency Rule 18 filings outside of normal operating hours that 

require action before the next business day, please call 202-275-8049 and email 

emergencyfilings@cafc.uscourts.gov. Absent proper notification, the Clerk’s Office 

may not be able to act on an after-hours, emergency filing before the next 

business day.
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

31 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 21 

Writs of Mandamus and Prohibition, and Other Extraordinary Writs 

(a) Title; Fee; Response. 

(1) A petition for writ of mandamus or prohibition directed to a court or 

an agency must be entitled: “In Re [name of petitioner], Petitioner.” 

(2) The petition must include a certificate of interest under Federal 

Circuit Rule 47.4. An entry of appearance for principal counsel under 

Federal Circuit Rule 47.3 must accompany the petition, unless the 

petitioner is unrepresented. 

(3) The petition must include proof of service under Federal Rule of 

Appellate Procedure 25(d) and be served outside the court’s 

electronic filing system. 

(4) A petition filed under this rule must be filed with this court in 

accordance with Federal Circuit Rule 25(b). The fee set forth in 

Federal Circuit Rule 52, or a motion for leave to proceed in forma 

pauperis or other waiver, must accompany the petition. 

(5) No response may be filed unless ordered by the court. 

(b) Reply. 

If the court directs the filing of a response to a petition, then the petitioner 

may file a reply. Unless otherwise ordered, the petitioner may file a reply 

within seven (7) days after the date of the filing of the response. The court 

may act on the petition before receipt of any reply, and thus the filing of a 

reply should be expedited if appropriate. The reply may not exceed 3,900 

words if produced electronically or fifteen (15) pages otherwise. 

(c) Copies; Brief. 

(1) If the original petition, response, or reply is filed in paper form, then 

no additional copies are required. 

(2) The filer of a petition, response, or reply must not submit a separate 

brief in support of its filing. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

32 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 21 

(d) Service of Order Denying Petition. 

If the petition is denied, the petitioner must serve a copy of the order 

denying the petition on all persons served with the petition unless such a 

person has entered an appearance in the proceeding or has been sent a 

copy of the order by the clerk of court. 

(e) Amicus Curiae Brief.

An amicus curiae brief supporting a petition must be accompanied by a 

motion for leave to file and be filed no later than four (4) days after the 

petition is docketed. An amicus curiae brief in opposition to a petition must 

be accompanied by a motion for leave and be filed no later than the date 

the court directs for parties to respond to the petition. The court may act on 

the petition before leave is sought, and thus the filing of a brief and a 

motion for leave should be expedited if appropriate. Federal Rules of 

Appellate Procedure 29(a)(3) and 29(a)(4) apply to the motion and brief, 

except that the brief may not exceed 3,900 words if prepared electronically 

or fifteen (15) pages otherwise. 

(f) Petition for Panel Rehearing or Rehearing En Banc. 

Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 40 and Federal Circuit Rule 40 apply 

to any petition for panel rehearing. Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 35 

and Federal Circuit Rule 35 apply to any petition for rehearing en banc or a 

combined petition for panel rehearing and rehearing en banc. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

33 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 24 

Proceeding in Forma Pauperis 

(a) Form. 

Within fourteen (14) days after docketing, parties seeking to proceed in 

forma pauperis must submit a motion and affidavit using this court’s form 

or the form provided in the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure. The clerk 

of court will provide unrepresented parties with a copy of this court’s form 

upon request. 

(b) Supplemental Form. 

If the movant is incarcerated, in addition to the motion and affidavit, the 

movant must file a supplemental form for prisoners. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

34 

Practice Notes to Rule 24 

DOCKETING FEE; TRANSCRIPT REQUEST. 

A party permitted to proceed in forma pauperis on appeal is not required to pay 

the docketing fee. Any request for a transcript of an agency proceeding at 

government expense is governed by agency regulations and must be directed to 

the agency. 

PROCEEDING ON ORIGINAL RECORD. 

A request under Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 24(c) that an appeal be 

heard on the original record is rarely granted because the available informal brief 

procedure permits an appendix consisting only of a copy of the decision or order 

sought to be reviewed. See Federal Circuit Rule 30(h). See Federal Circuit Forms 

11-16. 

EFFECT OF PRISON LITIGATION REFORM ACT. 

Under the Prison Litigation Reform Act of 1995, a prisoner granted pauper status 

before the district court is not automatically entitled to pauper status on appeal. 

See 28 U.S.C. § 1915. A prisoner seeking to proceed in forma pauperis is directed 

to the Guide for Unrepresented Petitioners and Appellants for further 

information. 

FORMS. 

Using Federal Circuit Form 6 satisfies the requirements for a motion and 

affidavit for leave to proceed in forma pauperis under Federal Circuit Rule 24(a). 

Using Federal Circuit Form 6A satisfies the requirement for incarcerated 

movants to file a supplemental form for prisoners under Federal Circuit Rule 

24(b). 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

35 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 25 

Filing and Service 

(a) General Filing Requirements. 

(1) Filing Methods. Where these rules discuss electronic filing, it 

exclusively refers to use of the court’s electronic filing system. Unless 

authorized in advance by the court or the clerk of court, facsimile 

and email transmission of documents will not be accepted. 

(A) Represented Parties. Parties represented by counsel must 

submit all documents in Portable Document Format (PDF) 

using the court’s electronic filing system and following the 

instructions and requirements in the court’s Electronic Filing 

Procedures. 

(B) Unrepresented Parties. Following public notice, the clerk of 

court may provide for unrepresented parties to file 

electronically and may establish necessary procedures and 

requirements consistent with these rules. Once electronic 

filing is available, an unrepresented party must inform the 

court within fourteen (14) days after that party’s case is 

docketed whether the filer elects to submit documents in 

paper form or register for electronic filing and submit 

documents in PDF through the court’s electronic filing system; 

following this election, the party may not change methods in 

that case without leave of the court or the clerk of court for 

good cause shown. An unrepresented party may use either 

method to submit case-initiating documents and may elect to 

file using different methods in each separate case. If an 

unrepresented party elects to file electronically, Federal 

Circuit Rule 25(c)(1) applies. 

(2) Electronic Filer Registration. Attorneys who appear before this 

court and unrepresented parties choosing to file electronically must 

register for the court’s electronic filing system. Registration 

requirements are located in the court’s Electronic Filing Procedures. 

Registration for electronic filing is not a substitute for admission to 

the bar or appearance in a case. Unrepresented paper filers may 

register for electronic filing at any point, and they may elect to file 

electronically after registration is approved by the court. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

36 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 25 

(3) Restrictions on Electronic Filers. Registration for the court’s 

electronic filing system constitutes an agreement by the filer to abide 

by all the procedures and requirements set forth in the court’s 

Electronic Filing Procedures. Following notice and an opportunity to 

respond, the clerk of court may restrict or revoke electronic filing 

privileges for users who have either (A) repeatedly failed to comply 

with these procedures and requirements, or (B) failed to maintain 

appropriate security of account credentials. 

(4) Electronic Filing Procedures. The clerk of court is authorized to 

adopt Electronic Filing Procedures governing the administrative and 

technical requirements and procedures for using the court’s 

electronic filing system. However, nothing in the Electronic Filing 

Procedures may contradict the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, 

the Federal Circuit Rules, or any applicable federal law. 

(5) Change of Name or Contact Information. Filers must 

immediately submit an amended appearance under Federal Circuit 

Rule 47.3 to notify the clerk of court of a change of name or contact 

information, including an email address for electronic service. 

Electronic filers must also update their information in the court’s 

electronic filing system. Failure to maintain current contact 

information with the clerk of court may result in the suspension of 

electronic filing privileges or missed notifications. 

(b) Case-Initiating Documents. 

Documents such as appeals filed directly with this court, petitions for 

review, petitions for writs of mandamus, petitions for permission to appeal, 

and motions for stays or injunctions under Federal Rule of Appellate 

Procedure 8 or 18 are considered case-initiating documents if the appeal or 

petition has not been docketed. 

(1) Electronic Submissions. A case-initiating document is considered 

filed at the time and date registered by the court’s electronic filing 

system. No paper copy is required. Parties represented by a member 

of the bar of this court must submit case-initiating documents 

electronically. 

(2) Non-Electronic Submissions. Unrepresented parties or parties 

represented at the lower tribunal by counsel who are not members of 

the bar of this court may choose to submit case-initiating documents 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

37 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 25 

in paper. Only one paper copy is required of any case-initiating 

document submitted in paper. Once the notice of docketing is issued, 

an unrepresented party must follow Federal Circuit Rule 25(a)(1). 

(c) All Other Documents. 

(1) Submissions by Electronic Filers. A document submitted 

electronically is deemed filed on the date and time stated on the 

Notice of Docket Activity generated from the court’s electronic filing 

system. Paper copies must not be provided to the court except to the 

extent required by Federal Circuit Rule 25(c)(3) or as ordered by the 

court. 

(A) Motion for Exemption. A motion for exemption from 

electronic filing requirements may be submitted in paper 

form. Upon a showing of good cause, the court may exempt a 

filer from electronic filing requirements and authorize filing 

by other means. 

(B) Items that Cannot be Filed Electronically. Exhibits, 

attachments, or appendices that are not in a format that 

readily permits electronic filing—such as those which are 

illegible when scanned or which, because of their odd shape, 

are unable to be scanned—may be filed in physical form 

without leave of court. The party must file electronically a 

Notice of Physical Filing and submit the original exhibit, 

attachment, or appendix in physical form to the clerk of court 

within five (5) business days after filing the notice. If such an 

item is part of a brief, appendix, or petition, then additional 

copies must be provided in the same number and within the 

same timeframe as the paper copies of the brief, appendix, or 

petition. For electronic appendix material that is unable to be 

reproduced in paper, Federal Circuit Rule 30(i) applies, and a 

separate Notice of Physical Filing is not required. 

(C) Technical or System Failures. An electronic filer whose 

filing is untimely as the result of a technical or system failure 

may file a motion for leave to file out of time that includes (1) 

a declaration or affidavit attesting to the failed attempts to file 

electronically and (2) the document that could not be filed due 

to the technical or system failure. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

38 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 25 

(2) Submissions by Non-Electronic Filers. A document submitted in 

paper form is deemed filed on the date and time it is received by the 

court. Additional paper copies must not be provided to the court 

except to the extent required by Federal Circuit Rule 25(c)(3) or as 

ordered by the court. 

(A) Originals. Non-electronic filers, including counsel exempted 

from electronic filing requirements, must file one original of 

each document. If a party chooses to file required paper copies 

at the same time as the original submission, then the original 

will count toward the number of paper copies. 

(B) Paper Records. The clerk of court will scan originals 

provided in paper and make the scanned documents part of 

the court’s official record through its electronic filing system. 

After the scanned documents are entered into the court’s 

electronic filing system, the paper documents will be discarded 

in accordance with judiciary records management policies. 

(3) Paper Copies. Except as provided in this subsection or as ordered 

by the court, electronic filers must not provide paper copies to the 

court. When paper copies are required, the clerk of court will note 

receipt of those copies on the electronic docket. 

(A) Briefs and Appendices During Initial Consideration.

During initial consideration of a case on the merits, six (6) 

paper copies—or three (3) for cases briefed informally—of each 

brief and appendix must be provided to the court within five 

(5) business days after the court’s issuance of a notice 

requesting paper copies. 

(B) Petitions for Panel Rehearing. Three (3) paper copies of 

any petition for panel rehearing, related response, or related 

brief amicus curiae must be provided to the court within two 

(2) business days after the filing of the petition, response, or 

brief. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

39 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 25 

(C) En Banc or Combined Petitions. Eighteen (18) paper 

copies—or three (3) for unrepresented parties—of any petition 

for en banc hearing, petition for en banc rehearing, combined 

petition for panel and en banc rehearing, related response, or 

related brief amicus curiae must be provided to the court 

within two (2) business days after the filing of the petition, 

response, or brief. 

(D) Briefs and Appendices in En Banc Cases. If the court 

orders en banc hearing or rehearing, twenty-eight (28) paper 

copies of each brief and appendix filed in the case prior to the 

date of the court’s order must be provided to the court within 

five (5) business days after that order. Twenty-eight (28) paper 

copies of each brief and appendix filed during en banc 

consideration must be provided to the court within five (5) 

business days after the filing of the document. 

(E) Confidential Versions. If a confidential document is filed in 

two versions pursuant to Federal Circuit Rule 25.1, then only 

paper copies of the confidential version must be provided to 

the court. 

(F) Corrected Versions. If a party has not yet filed paper copies 

of a document and that party has electronically filed a 

corrected version of that document, then only paper copies of 

the corrected version must be provided to the court. 

(4) Review and Correction by the Clerk of Court. The clerk of court 

may require the filing of a corrected copy of any submission that fails 

to comply with the court’s rules or the Electronic Filing Procedures. 

If a party fails to file a timely corrected copy in response to a notice 

requiring correction from the clerk of court, the clerk of court may 

strike the non-compliant document from the docket. The clerk of 

court may also edit docket entries to correct or to add text or 

attachments, and any such revision will be identified on the docket. 

(d) Format of Documents. 

Documents filed electronically and in paper must comply with the format 

requirements set forth in the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, the 

Federal Circuit Rules, and the court’s Electronic Filing Procedures. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

40 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 25 

(e) Service. 

(1) Electronic Filings. A filing does not require proof of service if it is 

served on all parties through the court’s electronic filing system. 

Service of a filing to a user’s email address registered with the 

court’s electronic filing system at the time of the filing constitutes 

valid service, even if the individual has failed to timely provide an 

updated valid email address and the served email address is invalid. 

Any non-electronic filers in the case must be served in paper and the 

filing must include proof of service. 

(2) Paper or Physical Filings. A copy of any original filing submitted 

to the court in paper must be served on all other parties in paper. 

The original must include proof of service. If a Notice of Physical 

Filing is filed pursuant to Federal Circuit Rule 25(c)(1)(B), then a 

copy of the physical filing must be served on all other parties and the 

notice must include proof of service of the physical filing. 

(3) Confidential Material. Filers cannot serve confidential 

information through the court’s electronic filing system. When a 

document is filed in two versions pursuant to Federal Circuit Rule 

25.1, the filer must serve all other authorized parties in paper, 

unless the parties agree on a separate service arrangement 

according to Federal Circuit Rule 25(e)(4). 

(4) Consent to Electronic or Alternate Service. Except for the 

service of confidential material under Federal Circuit Rule 25(e)(3), 

registration as an electronic filer constitutes consent to electronic 

service of all documents by the court’s electronic filing system. 

Parties required to be served in paper may consent to service via an 

alternate method, and any required proof of service must reflect the 

alternative method of service. 

(5) Service of Papers Before Appearance. Service of a filing on a 

party for which counsel has not yet entered an appearance must be 

made on counsel of record for the party in the proceeding below at 

that counsel’s last known address, or, if unrepresented, on that party 

directly. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

41 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 25 

(f) Private, Confidential, or Sealed Information. 

Requirements for filing private, confidential, and sealed material with the 

court are detailed in Federal Circuit Rule 25.1. 

(g) Signatures. 

(1) Electronic Signature. 

(A) An electronic signature consists of either (1) the printed name 

of the individual preceded by the mark “/s/” entered on the 

signature line or (2) an electronic signature from a commercial 

provider that complies with the Electronic Signatures in 

Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN) (15 U.S.C. 

§ 7001). The electronic signature must appear where the 

signature would otherwise appear. 

(B) The clerk of court will only accept a document with an 

electronic signature when (1) the name of the electronic signer 

matches the name on the account used to file the document in 

the court’s electronic filing system or (2) multiple signatures 

are present pursuant to Federal Circuit Rule 32(g). 

(2) Form of Signature. 

Where the rules require a signature on a document filed 

electronically, an electronic signature may be used. For documents 

filed in paper form, an original, handwritten signature must be used. 

An original signature is not required on paper copies required by 

Federal Circuit Rule 25(c)(3). Applications for admission to this 

court’s bar must always bear either (A) handwritten signatures or 

(B) an ESIGN compliant electronic signature by the applicant and 

any sponsor. However, the oath of admission must bear a 

handwritten signature. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

42 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 25 

(3) Retention of Documents. 

Documents that are electronically filed and require original 

signatures other than that of the filer (such as an affidavit signed by 

a person other than the filer) must be maintained in original form by 

the filer until the issuance of the mandate with no right of appeal or 

until such later date as the court prescribes. On request of the court, 

the filer must provide original documents for review. 

(h) Sanctions for Failure to Comply. 

Failure to comply with the court’s rules may result in dismissal of the 

appeal or other action as deemed appropriate by the court. 

(i) Corrections to Filings. 

(1) General. A document may not be corrected merely by filing or 

appending an errata sheet. A party wishing to make non-substantive 

corrections to any document currently on file with the clerk of court 

must file a Notice of Correction. Substantive corrections may only be 

made with leave of the court. 

(2) Format. A corrected document must indicate “corrected” in the title 

or on the cover. A new proof of service must be attached to any 

corrected filing that is not being served through the court’s electronic 

filing system. 

(3) Notice of Correction. A Notice of Correction must be filed 

contemporaneously with the corrected document and must 

specifically delineate each correction. A Notice of Correction is not 

required for changes to a document when those changes have been 

ordered by the court or the clerk of court. 

(4) Required Copies. If paper copies have already been submitted, an 

adequate number of corrected paper copies must be filed. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

43 

Practice Notes to Rule 25 

LOCATION OF CLERK’S OFFICE; HOURS OF OPERATION; NIGHT 

BOX. 

The clerk’s office is in Room 401 of the National Courts Building, 717 Madison 

Place, NW, Washington, DC 20439, and is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on 

workdays. After the office closes on workdays, papers may be deposited until 

midnight in a night box at the garage entrance on H Street NW, between 15th 

Street and Madison Place. 

CLERK’S MAILING ADDRESS. 

Address mail as follows: 

Clerk of Court 

United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit 

717 Madison Place NW 

Washington, DC 20439 

The clerk of court will not pay postage due. 

RETURN COPY MARKED RECEIVED. 

When a brief or other paper is presented for filing and the filer provides a copy to 

be marked “received,” the clerk of court will mark it received and return it. If the 

filing is by mail or if the night box is used, a self-addressed, postage-paid (first 

class) return envelope must accompany the request. 

UNREPRESENTED PARTY WHO IS A MEMBER OF THE BAR. 

If an unrepresented party is also a member of the court’s bar, that individual may 

proceed under the rules applicable for either represented or unrepresented 

parties, but not both in a single case. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

44 

Practice Notes to Rule 25 

PAPER COPIES OF BRIEFS AND APPENDICES. 

Counsel should not submit paper copies of any briefs or appendices required 

under Federal Circuit Rule 25(c)(3)(A) until after the court issues a notice 

indicating that the copies are due and the deadline for filing these copies. In 

typical, non-expedited cases, the clerk of court issues this notice shortly after 

briefing concludes. Paper copies for petitions and briefs related to panel 

rehearing, en banc hearing, or en banc rehearing are due after the filing of the 

electronic version as required by Federal Circuit Rule 25(c)(3)(B)-(D). 

CONFIDENTIAL FILINGS. 

For purposes of these rules, documents filed as “confidential” are treated the 

same as documents filed “under seal.”

UNREPRESENTED PARTY FILING ELECTION 

Using Federal Circuit Form 8B satisfies the requirement for an unrepresented 

party to notify the court of the elected filing method under Federal Circuit Rule 

25(a)(1)(B).

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE. 

Using Federal Circuit Form 30 satisfies the requirements for proof of service 

under Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 25(d) and Federal Circuit Rule 25(e).
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

45 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 25.1 

Privacy and Confidentiality 

(a) Scope. 

(1) Availability to the Public. Unredacted material included in 

nonconfidential or unsealed filings is presumed to be public. After 

five (5) years following the end of all proceedings in this court, the 

court may direct the parties to show cause why confidential filings 

(except those protected by statute) should not be unsealed and made 

available to the public. 

(2) Restricted Access. At the time of filing, access to confidential or 

sealed documents will be restricted to authorized court personnel 

only. If a party or its counsel has not been authorized access to 

confidential or sealed material under a governing protective order, 

any filing containing such material must include the pertinent 

protective order with a cover letter indicating which parties or 

counsel are not authorized access. The court may provide access to 

confidential or sealed material to all parties and counsel in a case 

who are not identified on such a cover letter. Any confidential or 

sealed document filed without a cover letter is assumed to be 

accessible by all parties and counsel in the case. 

(3) Responsibility for Review. The parties and their counsel are 

solely responsible for redacting restricted or sensitive materials from 

documents, identifying any counsel or parties to the case not 

permitted to access confidential or sealed material, and properly 

filing confidential or sealed material. The clerk of court is not 

required to review documents to ensure material has been 

appropriately redacted. 

(4) Redactions. No material may appear redacted in a filing with this 

court except as provided in Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 

25(a)(5) or Federal Circuit Rules 25.1(b), 25.1(d), or 30(c)(2), or if 

that material was only filed in redacted form at the trial court or 

agency. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

46 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 25.1 

(b) Personally Identifiable Information.

All parties must refrain from including or must redact personally 

identifiable information (PII) from documents filed with the court. 

Documents that contain only redacted PII and no other confidential 

markings are not required to adhere to Federal Circuit Rule 25.1(e). The 

requirement to redact PII may be waived by the inclusion of a statement of 

consent. Examples of PII include the following: 

(1) Social security numbers; 

(2) Financial account numbers; 

(3) Names of minors (use instead the minor’s initials); 

(4) Dates of birth (use the year only); and 

(5) Home addresses (use the city and state only). 

(c) Protective Orders. 

(1) Status of a Protective Order on Appeal. In general, any portion 

of the record that was subject to a protective order in the trial court 

or agency must remain subject to that order on appeal or review. 

Material will lose its status as subject to a protective order, however, 

if and when it has been removed from protected status under 

subsection (2) below or has appeared in a filing without being 

marked confidential. This court, sua sponte, may direct the parties to 

show cause why a protective order should not be modified. 

(2) Agreement by Parties to Modify a Protective Order. If any 

portion of the record in the trial court or agency is subject to a 

protective order and a notice of appeal or petition for review has been 

filed, each party must promptly review the record to determine 

whether protected portions need to remain protected on appeal. If a 

party determines that some portion no longer needs to be protected, 

that party must seek an agreement with the other parties. Any 

agreement that is reached must be promptly presented to the trial 

court or agency, which may issue an appropriate order. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

47 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 25.1 

(A) Certificate of Compliance. In appeals of proceedings 

subject to a protective order in the trial court or agency, each 

party must file a certificate of compliance no later than the 

time for filing the appendix stating it complied with this rule. 

(B) Exclusion. This requirement does not apply to cases arising 

under 19 U.S.C. § 1516a or to third-party information marked 

confidential. 

(d) Confidential Marking Limitations; Motions to Exceed Limitations. 

(1) Motions, Petitions, Responses, Replies, and Briefs. Material in 

a motion, petition, response, reply, or brief may only be marked 

confidential to the extent noted in subsections (A)-(C) below, and 

only if the information (1) is treated as confidential pursuant to a 

judicial or administrative protective order and (2) such marking is 

authorized by statute, administrative regulation, or court rule (such 

as Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(c)(1)). Otherwise, no material 

may be marked confidential, including references to information 

previously treated as confidential pursuant to a protective order.

(A) General Limitation. Each motion, petition, response, reply, 

or brief may mark as confidential up to fifteen (15) unique 

words (including numbers).

(B) Limitation for Cases Under 19 U.S.C. § 1516a or 28 

U.S.C. § 1491(b). In cases arising under 19 U.S.C. § 1516a or 

28 U.S.C. § 1491(b), each motion, petition, response, reply, or 

brief may mark confidential up to fifty (50) unique words 

(including numbers).

(C) Exclusions. When a phrase is marked confidential in a filing, 

the words in the phrase count against the unique word 

allotment for that filing; but repeating the same confidential 

material in the same filing does not use up any more of the 

unique word allotment. If a responsive filing uses material 

previously marked confidential in the filing(s) to which it 

responds, that material does not count against the unique 

word allotment for the responsive filing. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

48 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 25.1 

(D) Applicability. The limitations of Federal Circuit Rule 

25.1(d)(1) do not apply to appendices; attachments; exhibits; 

and addenda to motions, petitions, responses, replies, or 

briefs. 

(2) Other Documents. Material that is covered by a protective order or 

that has confidentiality imposed on it by a statute, rule, or 

regulation may be marked confidential in any filing other than those 

subject to Federal Circuit Rule 25.1(d)(1) without any limitation on 

the number of markings. Material that has lost its protective 

coverage under Federal Circuit Rule 25.1(c) may not be marked 

confidential.

(3) Motion to Waive Requirements. A party seeking to mark more 

words confidential than permitted must file a motion with this court. 

Access to a filing accompanied by a motion to waive confidentiality 

requirements will be restricted in accordance with Federal Circuit 

Rule 25.1(a) and will remain restricted should the motion be denied, 

unless ordered otherwise. 

(A) Contents. The motion must identify the total number of 

unique words sought to be marked confidential and establish 

why the additional markings are appropriate and necessary 

pursuant to a statute, administrative regulation, or court rule. 

For example, a party may establish that an argument cannot 

be properly developed without additional disclosure of 

confidential information, and public disclosure will risk 

causing competitive injury. All motions should explain in 

detail the propriety of confidentiality and provide reasons 

and/or legal citations for each source of information sought to 

be marked as confidential. 

(B) Time for Filing. The motion must be filed 

contemporaneously with the document for which waiver of 

confidentiality requirements is sought. 

(C) Court Action. If the motion is denied in whole or in part, an 

amended filing that complies with the confidentiality 

limitations must be filed within ten (10) days after the action 

on the motion. Any amended filing that still does not meet the 

confidentiality limitations must be submitted with a new 

motion. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

49 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 25.1 

(e) Contents and Format for Confidential Filings. 

(1) Two Versions. A document containing material subject to 

confidentiality as permitted by Federal Circuit Rule 25.1(d) must be 

filed with the court in two versions: a confidential version that notes 

the material marked confidential, and a nonconfidential version 

containing appropriate redactions. 

(A) Confidential Versions. The cover or front page of the 

confidential version must be labeled “confidential,” either 

centered at the top or contained in the title. If confidentiality 

will end on a certain date or upon the happening of an event, 

this must be stated on the cover or front page (e.g., 

“CONFIDENTIAL UNTIL [DATE],” or “CONFIDENTIAL 

DURING JUDICIAL REVIEW”). Each page containing 

confidential material must enclose this material in brackets or 

indicate this material by highlighting. The confidential 

version of an appendix must include at the beginning (i.e., in 

front of the judgment or order appealed from) pertinent 

excerpts of any statutes imposing confidentiality or the 

entirety of any judicial or administrative protective order. 

(B) Nonconfidential Version. The cover or front page of the 

nonconfidential version must be labeled “nonconfidential,” 

either centered at the top or contained in the title. Each page 

from which material subject to a protective order has been 

deleted or redacted must bear a legend so stating, and an 

adequate, general descriptor of the material must appear over 

the deletion or redaction. The table of contents must include a 

paragraph describing the general nature of the confidential 

material that has been deleted and applicable page numbers. 

If the document does not contain a table of contents, this 

paragraph must be the first paragraph of the document. 

(2) Certificate of Confidential Material. A motion, petition, 

response, reply, or brief that includes material marked confidential 

under Federal Circuit Rule 25.1(d)(1) must be accompanied by a 

certificate that indicates the exact number of unique words 

(including numbers) sought to be marked confidential. It is the 

responsibility of the filing party to ensure that the certificate of 

confidential material is accurate. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

50 

Practice Notes to Rule 25.1 

DESCRIBING THE GENERAL NATURE OF CONFIDENTIAL MATERIAL 

DELETED FROM THE NONCONFIDENTIAL VERISON.

The following example is acceptable: 

CONFIDENTIAL MATERIAL OMITTED

The material omitted on page 42 describes the circumstances of an alleged 

lost sale; the material omitted in the first line of page 43 indicates the 

dollar amount of an alleged revenue loss; the material omitted on page 44 

indicates the quantity of the party’s inventory and its market share; the 

material omitted in the text on page 45 describes the distributor’s 

experiences concerning the inventories and order lead times; and the 

material omitted in the footnote on page 45 describes non-price factors 

affecting customers’ preferences between competing methods. 

JUSTIFICATION FOR CLAIM OF CONFIDENTIALITY.

Unnecessarily designating material in the briefs and appendix as confidential 

abrogates the right of public access and may hinder the court’s preparation and 

issuance of opinions. Counsel must be prepared to justify at oral argument any 

claim of confidentiality. 

NOTING REDACTIONS IN THE NONCONFIDENTIAL VERSION.

When a page redacts confidential information, the legend noting the redaction 

should appear in the margin of the page. When redacting information from the 

nonconfidential version, a general descriptor of the redacted information must 

appear in the place of the redacted information, e.g., “dollar amount,” “number of 

items,” “chemical name.” If an entire page is redacted, a slip sheet may be 

included, and the legend may appear in the center of the sheet. If a consecutive 

range of entire pages is redacted, the filer may include one slip sheet with a 

legend representing the redaction of that range of pages. Any slip sheet must 

include an adequate, general descriptor of all deleted or redacted material 

pursuant to Federal Circuit Rule 25.1(e)(1)(B). 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

51 

Practice Notes to Rule 25.1 

NOTING CONFIDENTIAL MATERIAL IN THE CONFIDENTIAL 

VERSION.

The court requires that confidential information be clearly identifiable in the 

confidential version, and the filer should ensure that highlighting will not obscure 

text or be confused with other identifiers elsewhere in the document. Brackets 

should be sized appropriately to ensure they are readily recognizable. If an entire 

page is to be marked confidential, the filer may include large brackets on the left 

and right margin of the page or highlight the entire page. The highlight may be in 

the form of a box over the entire page or a clearly highlighted border surrounding 

the page. 

RECORD MATERIAL THAT EXISTS IN TWO VERSIONS.

When material that is part of the record had a sealed and a public version of that 

document, such as an underlying opinion or order, then the confidential appendix 

should include the sealed version and the nonconfidential appendix should 

include the public version. The two versions must be appropriately highlighted or 

bracketed. If one version is longer than the other, the shorter version should 

include slip sheets to cover the additional missing pages in its corresponding 

version. 

CONFIDENTIAL FILINGS. 

For purposes of these rules, documents filed as “confidential” are treated the 

same as documents filed “under seal.”

CERTIFICATE OF CONFIDENTIAL MATERIAL. 

Using Federal Circuit Form 31 satisfies the certificate requirements of Federal 

Circuit Rule 25.1(e)(2). 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

52 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 26 

Computing and Extending Time 

(a) Computation of Time; Closing the Clerk’s Office. 

(1) Legal Holiday. “Legal holiday” also means a day on which the 

clerk’s office is closed by order of the court or the chief judge. Such an 

order will be posted publicly. 

(2) Calculating Deadlines. Unless otherwise ordered, the timeliness of 

any responsive document is computed from the date of service of the 

original submission, regardless of any corrections made by the party. 

Should leave of the court be required to file a document, the deadline 

for any responsive document will be triggered by the court’s order on 

the motion for leave, unless otherwise ordered. If a document is 

served on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, timeliness for any 

responsive document will be calculated from the next business day. 

Unless a time for filing is ordered by the court, filing must be 

completed before midnight Eastern Time on the due date to be 

considered timely. 

(3) Unscheduled Court Closure. In the event of a publicly noticed 

unscheduled closure of the clerk’s office, all deadlines for electronic 

submissions remain in effect, unless otherwise stated. Deadlines for 

paper submissions that fall on the date of the unscheduled court 

closure will be extended to the next business day. 

(4) Inaccessibility of Electronic Filing. In the event of a scheduled 

system outage or unscheduled technical failure of the court’s 

electronic filing system, the clerk of court may provide notice that 

the clerk’s office is inaccessible and extend deadlines for electronic 

filings pursuant to Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 26(a)(3). 

Such a notice will be posted publicly. 

(5) Court Order. Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 26(c) does not 

apply to deadlines set by court order. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

53 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 26 

(b) Motion to Extend Time. 

(1) A motion to extend the time prescribed by the Federal Rules of 

Appellate Procedure, the Federal Circuit Rules, or an order of this 

court must be made at least seven (7) days before the date sought to 

be extended, except that in extraordinary circumstances a motion 

may be made later than that deadline if accompanied by an affidavit 

or unsworn declaration under penalty of perjury under 28 U.S.C. 

§ 1746 that describes the extraordinary circumstances. 

(2) In addition to the requirements under Federal Rule of Appellate 

Procedure 27 and Federal Circuit Rule 27, the motion must state the 

following: 

(A) the date to be extended; 

(B) the revised date sought; 

(C) the number of days of extension sought; and 

(D) the total number of days of extension previously granted to 

the movant. 

(3) A request for an extension of more than fourteen (14) days must be 

accompanied by an affidavit or unsworn declaration of counsel or a 

unrepresented party under penalty of perjury under 28 U.S.C. §1746 

showing good cause for the extension. 

(4) Upon certification by the filer that additional time is needed to 

resolve confidentiality issues, the court will grant a one-time per 

document extension of five (5) days to file the document. Any 

additional requests for extension to resolve confidentiality issues are 

by leave of court. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

54 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 26 

(c) Electronic Service of Documents. 

Three (3) additional days are not added to the time to file a responsive 

document, when the original document was served through the court’s 

electronic filing system. The court considers service through the court’s 

electronic filing system to be completed on the date and time reflected on 

the Notice of Docket Activity. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

55 

Practice Notes to Rule 26 

OPPOSITION TO EXTENSION. 

If a party opposes a motion for extension of time, that party should file its 

response promptly. The court will not necessarily wait for an opposition before 

ruling on a motion. 

BENEFIT OF TIMELY EXTENSION REQUEST. 

Unless the court has previously ordered that there will be no further extensions, 

an appeal will not be dismissed for failure to file appellant’s brief if appellant’s 

motion to extend the time for filing was filed and served at least seven days 

before the due date for the brief, but the motion has not been acted on by the due 

date. 

EXTENSION DURING SETTLEMENT NEGOTIATIONS. 

Parties jointly stipulating that they are actively pursuing settlement of the case 

will be granted a reasonable extension of time to accomplish settlement. 

DEADLINES FOR DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED BY MAIL. 

Because of occasional delays with some mail transmitted by the United States 

Postal Service due to screening or other issues, if a document must be received by 

the court on a particular date, then a paper filer might consider using an 

alternative method of delivering the document to the court, such as a commercial 

carrier or hand-delivery. The court cannot waive the deadlines for filing a notice 

of appeal or petition for review, even if the document was deposited in the mail in 

a timely fashion. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

56 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 26.1 

Disclosure Statement 

The filing of a certificate of interest required by Federal Circuit Rule 47.4

satisfies the requirements of Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 26.1. 

Practice Notes to Rule 26.1 

TIMELY UPDATES. 

The court uses the certificate of interest to determine when recusal of a judge may 

be appropriate. Thus, timely correction and updating of the certificate is required 

to identify potential conflicts. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

57 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 27 

Motions 

(a) Contents and Format of a Motion. 

In addition to the requirements under Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 

27(a)(2) and (d), a motion must include the following: 

(1) the caption (if the motion is for a procedural order on consent, the 

short caption may be used; for any other motion, the official caption 

must be used); 

(2) a statement of consent or opposition representing that the movant 

has discussed the motion with the other parties and stating whether 

any party will object or file a response; 

(3) a certificate of interest under Federal Circuit Rule 47.4; and 

(4) an affidavit or unsworn declaration under penalty of perjury under 

28 U.S.C. § 1746, if the facts relied on in the motion are subject to 

dispute. 

(b) Response; Reply. 

If a motion uses the short caption, any response or reply may also use the 

short caption. In addition to the requirements under Federal Rule of 

Appellate Procedure 27(a)(3) and (d), a response must include the following: 

(1) the items in Federal Circuit Rule 27(a)(1), (3), and (4); and 

(2) the grounds for denying the motion, limiting the relief granted, or 

modifying the order sought and the legal argument to support the 

response, or the responding party’s statement of consent or lack of 

opposition. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

58 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 27 

(c) Motion to Expedite. 

In addition to the requirements for a motion under Federal Circuit Rule 

27(a), a motion to expedite proceedings must include the following: 

(1) the label “Motion to Expedite” on the cover or front page of the 

motion, either centered at the top or contained in the title; 

(2) a proposed expedited briefing schedule on the motion; and 

(3) a proposed expedited merits briefing schedule or proposed argument 

date, if applicable. 

(d) Attachments or Exhibits. 

Attachments or exhibits to a motion, response, or reply must be preceded 

by a table of contents and must be paginated or separately tabbed for ease 

of reference. The pagination need not match the requirements for an 

appendix under Federal Circuit Rule 30. 

(e) Motion to Strike; Response. 

A motion to strike all or part of a brief, except to strike scandalous matter, 

is prohibited as long as the party seeking to strike has the right to file a 

responsive brief in which the objection could be made. A response, if any, in 

opposition to a motion to strike must be included in the responsive brief if 

one is authorized, or may be filed if leave is sought and obtained, or may be 

made at oral argument. 

(f) Motion to Dismiss, Transfer, or Remand. 

A motion to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction, to transfer, or to remand should 

be made as soon as the grounds for the motion are known. After the 

appellant or petitioner has filed its principal brief, the argument 

supporting dismissal, transfer, or remand should be made in the response 

brief of the appellee or respondent. Any response to such an argument 

made in the response brief must be included in the reply brief. Joint or 

unopposed motions or stipulations to dismiss, transfer, or remand may be 

made at any time. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

59 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 27 

(g) Motion Incorporated in a Brief. 

Except as provided in Federal Circuit Rule 27(e) and (f), a motion must not 

be incorporated in a brief. 

(h) Delegation of Authority to the Clerk of Court. 

The clerk of court is authorized to act on any procedural motion or 

unopposed nonprocedural motion, but may not act on an opposed 

nonprocedural motion or any motion that requires action by a judge or 

panel of judges. The clerk of court may also direct an expedited response to 

a motion or petition and may direct the parties to show cause why an 

appeal or petition should not be dismissed or transferred. Even if the clerk 

of court is authorized to act on a particular motion, the clerk of court may 

nonetheless refer the matter to a judge or panel, or may defer the matter to 

the merits panel, when appropriate. 

(i) Ex Parte Application. 

Neither the court nor any judge of the court will conduct an ex parte 

hearing on an application for relief. 

(j) Reconsideration, Vacatur, or Modification of an Order or Action. 

A party seeking to reconsider, vacate, or modify a dispositive order issued 

by a panel must move for relief within the time prescribed by Federal 

Circuit Rule 40(d). For all other orders or actions by the court, including by 

a single judge, a panel of judges, or the clerk of court, a party must move 

for relief within fourteen (14) days after the order or action. 

(k) Motions Containing Confidential or Sealed Material. 

Federal Circuit Rule 25.1 applies to confidential or sealed material in 

motions, responses, and replies. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

60 

Practice Notes to Rule 27 

MOOT RESPONSE. 

A response to a motion for a procedural order that is received after the motion has 

been acted on is considered moot. 

AUTHORITY TO ACT ON MOTIONS; MOTIONS REFERRED TO PANEL. 

Neither the clerk of court nor the court is required to grant relief just because the 

parties agree it should be granted. The clerk of court’s authority to act on 

procedural or unopposed nonprocedural motions includes the authority to grant or 

deny the requested relief in whole or in part or to refer the motion to a judge or a 

panel. Examples of procedural motions include motions for extensions of time, 

motions to reform the caption, motions to withdraw counsel, and motions for leave 

to proceed in forma pauperis. Examples of nonprocedural motions include motions 

to dismiss, motions to remand, motions to transfer, motions to summarily affirm, 

motions for stays of injunctions, motions for injunctions, motions to strike, 

motions for leave to intervene, motions for leave to file briefs as amici curiae, etc. 

Motions to exceed the permitted word or page limitation for a brief will be decided 

by a judge. If the clerk of court grants a motion to extend the time to file a 

principal brief by sixty (60) days, no further extensions should be anticipated. 

Once a case is assigned to a merits panel, the clerk of court refers all motions to 

the merits panel. 

TELEPHONE INQUIRIES ABOUT MOTIONS; ACCESS TO ORDERS ON 

WEBSITE. 

Telephone inquiries about pending motions are discouraged, and contacting the 

court will not expedite action on any motion. Most orders are considered routine 

and counsel will receive notification by Notice of Docket Activity as soon as the 

motion is decided. Counsel or the parties may determine the status of a motion 

and obtain copies of court orders through the court’s electronic filing system. 

Many pertinent orders are posted on the court’s website. Under no circumstances 

should parties or counsel telephone a judge, a judge’s chambers, or the office of 

the general counsel about a motion. However, when filing an emergency matter or 

a motion for expedited consideration, parties or counsel should call the clerk’s 

office. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

61 

Practice Notes to Rule 27 

MOTION TO EXPEDITE PROCEEDINGS. 

While motions to expedite proceedings are not routinely granted, they may be 

filed in appropriate cases. A motion for expedited proceedings is the procedural 

vehicle to request accelerated consideration of an appeal or petition for review, 

and it should be filed immediately after docketing. Such a motion is appropriate 

where the normal briefing and disposition schedule may adversely affect one of 

the parties, as in appeals involving preliminary or permanent injunctions or 

government contract bid protests. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

62 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 28 

Briefs 

(a) Contents of Principal Briefs; Organization; Addendum. 

Principal briefs must contain the following in the order listed: 

(1) the certificate of interest under Federal Circuit Rule 47.4; 

(2) the table of contents; 

(3) the table of authorities; 

(4) the statement of related cases under Federal Circuit Rule 47.5; 

(5) the jurisdictional statement including information demonstrating 

that the judgment or order appealed from is final or, if not final, 

appealable on another basis (e.g., preliminary injunction, Federal 

Rule of Civil Procedure 54(b) certification of final judgment as to 

fewer than all of the claims or parties, etc.); 

(6) the statement of the issues; 

(7) the statement of the case, including the citation of any published 

decision of the trial tribunal in the proceedings; 

(8) the summary of the argument; 

(9) the argument, including the statement of the standard of review; 

(10) the conclusion and statement of relief sought; 

(11) an addendum containing the judgments, orders, agency actions, or 

other decisions in question and any opinions, memoranda, or 

findings and conclusions supporting them (this requirement applies 

only to the principal brief of an appellant, petitioner, or cross-party) 

and is met when the appendix is bound with the brief. See Federal 

Circuit Rule 30(c)(1) and (d) for a duplicative requirement of the 

appendix) ; 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

63 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 28 

(12) additional content in an appeal or petition involving a patent—(A) 

all patents in suit reproduced in their entirety as an addendum to 

the principal brief of a petitioner or appellant and (B) the language 

of a patent claim at issue appearing on the inside of the front cover of 

each principal brief (or immediately following the front cover if the 

language requires more space), with this duplicative language not 

counting for Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 32(g)(1) purposes 

provided the same language is included in the brief; and(13) the 

certificate of compliance, if required by Federal Circuit Rule 32(b)(3). 

(b) Exclusion of Contents from Appellee’s Brief. 

An appellee’s statements of jurisdiction, the issues, the case and facts, and 

the standard of review must be limited to specific areas of disagreement 

with those of the appellant. Absent disagreement, an appellee must not 

include those statements. 

(c) Addendum Pagination. 

Addendum material that is also designated for inclusion in the appendix 

must be paginated with the corresponding page numbers assigned to that 

material under Federal Circuit Rule 30(b)(2)(C). Other addendum material 

must be paginated in such a way as to avoid confusion. 

(d) Brief Containing Confidential or Sealed Material. 

Federal Circuit Rule 25.1 applies to confidential or sealed material in 

briefs. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

64 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 28 

(e) Citations. 

Opinions of this court and its predecessors should be cited as found in the 

Federal Reporter. Parallel citations to any other reporters are discouraged. 

Examples of acceptable citations are: 

Guotos v. United States, 552 F.2d 992 (Ct. Cl. 1976). 

In re Sponnable, 405 F.2d 578 (CCPA 1969). 

South Corporation v. United States, 690 F.2d 1368 (Fed. Cir. 1982) 

(en banc). 

Doe v. Roe, No. 12-345, slip op. (Fed. Cir. Oct. 1, 1982). 

(f) Referring to the Record and Appendix. 

Any reference in a brief to the underlying record or to material authorized 

to be included in an appendix must be to the corresponding appendix page 

number(s) assigned to the material under Federal Circuit Rule 30(b)(2)(C). 

References must be as short as possible consistent with clarity and must 

follow the format required by the clerk of court in the court’s Electronic 

Filing Procedures. Indiscriminate references in briefs to blocks of record 

pages are prohibited. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

65 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 28 

(g) Unrepresented Party Briefs; Response. 

An unrepresented party may file a formal brief or an informal brief, but not 

both. 

(1) Informal Brief. An informal brief must contain the information 

required by the form prescribed by the court. No other contents are 

required. 

(2) Formal Brief. A formal brief must comply with Rules 28 and 32 

regarding format and contents. 

(3) Counseled Party Response Brief. When the appellant or 

petitioner files an informal brief, the appellee or respondent may 

elect to file an informal brief. An informal response brief must 

contain a statement of the case, but the brief may otherwise follow 

the format prescribed for the unrepresented party. In an informal or 

formal response brief, the party must state whether or not it believes 

the court has jurisdiction over the case, with reasons provided. 

(h) Briefs in a Transferred Case. 

When an appeal is transferred to this court by another court of appeals 

after briefs have been filed, the parties may stipulate to proceed on those 

briefs instead of filing briefs prescribed by these rules. The stipulation and 

each brief must be filed with this court within fourteen (14) days after 

docketing, with the required number of paper copies to be provided in 

accordance with Federal Circuit Rule 25(c). The court may also order 

supplemental briefs as needed. 

(i) Multiple Parties. 

(1) Single Brief. Each party is permitted to file a single brief of each 

type authorized for that party by these rules. Private parties with 

identical or similar interests are strongly encouraged to join in a 

single brief. 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 28 

(2) Combined Brief Required. When there are multiple parties 

represented by the same counsel or counsel from the same firm, a 

combined brief must be filed on behalf of all the parties represented 

by that counsel or firm. 

(j) Briefs in Related Cases 

Parties may not file entirely duplicative briefs in related cases. If a portion 

of a brief is duplicative of a portion of a brief in a related case, the filing 

party must so advise the court at the beginning of the brief section 

containing the duplicative content. 

Practice Notes to Rule 28 

INFORMAL BRIEF. 

Using the court’s Form 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 16, whichever corresponds to the type 

of case, satisfies the requirements of an informal brief for an unrepresented 

petitioner or appellant under Federal Circuit Rule 28(g). Using the court’s Form 

11A satisfies the requirements of an informal response brief for an unrepresented 

respondent or appellee under Federal Circuit Rule 28(g). 
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67 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 28.1 

Cross-Appeals 

(a) Page Limitation. 

Unless it complies with Federal Circuit Rule 28.1(b), the appellant's 

principal brief must not exceed thirty (30) pages; the appellee's principal 

and response brief, thirty-five (35) pages; the appellant's response and 

reply brief, thirty (30) pages; and the appellee's reply brief, fifteen (15) 

pages. 

(b) Type-Volume Limitation. 

(1) The appellant's principal brief or the appellant's response and reply 

brief is acceptable if it meets one of the following: 

(A) it contains no more than 14,000 words; or 

(B) it uses a monospaced face and contains no more than 1,300 

lines of text. 

(2) The appellee's principal and response brief is acceptable if it meets 

one of the following: 

(A) it contains no more than 16,500 words; or 

(B) it uses a monospaced face and contains no more than 1,500 

lines of text. 

(3) The appellee's reply brief is acceptable if it meets one of the 

following: 

(A) it contains no more than 7,000 words; or 

(B) it uses a monospaced face and contains no more than 650 lines 

of text. 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 28.1 

(c) Certificate of Compliance. 

A brief submitted under this rule must comply with Federal Circuit Rule 

32(b)(3). 

(d) Brief Contents. 

Appellant’s principal brief must comply with Federal Circuit Rule 28(a). 

Appellee’s principal and response brief must comply with Federal Circuit 

Rule 28(a), and (b) to the extent that it refers to the statement of the case. 

Appellee’s principal and response brief must also include the addendum 

under Federal Circuit Rule 28(a)(11) to the extent that the materials differ 

from those produced in the appellant’s principal brief. Appellant’s response 

and reply brief must comply with Federal Circuit Rule 28(b). 
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69 

Practice Notes to Rule 28.1 

CROSS-APPEALS. 

A party may file a cross-appeal only when it seeks to modify or overturn the 

judgment of a trial tribunal. Although a party may present additional arguments 

in support of the judgment as an appellee, counsel are cautioned against 

improperly designating an appeal as a cross-appeal when they merely present 

arguments in support of the judgment. See Bailey v. Dart Container Corp., 292 

F.3d 1360 (Fed. Cir. 2002). Further, counsel are cautioned, in cases involving a 

proper cross-appeal, that the fourth brief must be limited to the issues presented 

by the cross-appeal. In the third brief, moreover, the reply argument on the 

appeal issues should not exceed the length that would be permitted if there were 

no cross-appeal. In all cases, counsel should be prepared to defend the filing of a 

cross-appeal and the propriety of arguments presented in the fourth brief at oral 

argument. See Aventis Pharma S.A. v. Hospira, Inc., 637 F.3d 1341 (Fed. Cir. 

2011).

TIME TO SERVE AND FILE A BRIEF. 

Please refer to Federal Circuit Rule 31(a) for brief due dates when there is a 

cross-appeal. 

CLARIFICATION TO FEDERAL RULE OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE 

28.1(c)(4). 

Where the term “appellee” is used, it refers to the “cross-appellant.” 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 29 

Brief of an Amicus Curiae 

(a) Contents. 

In addition to the contents required by Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 

29, the brief of an amicus curiae must include a certificate of interest under 

Federal Circuit Rule 47.4 in front of the table of contents. 

(b) Length. 

An amicus brief exceeding one-half the maximum number of pages 

authorized for a principal brief must contain no more than one-half the 

maximum number of words or lines authorized by Federal Circuit Rule 

32(b) for a principal brief. An amicus brief exceeding the page limitation 

must include a certificate of compliance with the type-volume limitation 

that adheres to Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 32(g). 

(c) Citations to the Record. 

Each amicus brief must comply with Federal Circuit Rule 28(f). An amicus 

curiae should contact the parties to obtain the designation of material for 

the appendix. Leave of court is required for an amicus curiae to cite directly 

to the record or to file a separate appendix. 

Practice Note to Rule 29 

CONSENT.

If an amicus brief on the merits is filed on consent of all parties, then no motion 

for leave is required and the brief should state, pursuant to Federal Rule of 

Appellate Procedure 29(a), that all parties have consented to its filing. 
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71 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 30 

Appendix to the Briefs 

(a) Contents of Appendix; Time for Filing; Number of Copies; Multiple 

Volumes; Failure to File. 

(1) Contents.

(A) In addition to the material required by Federal Rule of 

Appellate Procedure 30(a)(1)(A), (B), and (C), the appendix 

must include the following: 

(i) the entire docket sheet, certified list, or index from the 

proceedings below; 

(ii) in an appeal from a jury case, the judge’s charge, the 

jury’s verdict, and the jury’s responses to 

interrogatories; and 

(iii) in an appeal involving a patent, the patent in suit in its 

entirety. Any other patents included in an appendix 

must be included in their entirety. 

(B) Parts of the record must not be included in the appendix 

unless they are cited in the briefs. Parties must, however, 

include in the appendix sufficient surrounding record and 

transcript pages to provide context for a cited excerpt, as well 

as the transcript cover page identifying participating counsel 

if included in the record. Inclusion of unnecessary pages in the 

appendix is prohibited. 

(C) In an appeal from the Patent and Trademark Office, unless 

the parties agree otherwise, the appendix must include the 

following: 

(i) a copy of all rejected claims that are being appealed 

from a final decision of the Patent Trial and Appeal 

Board; 

(ii) a copy of all counts in a patent interference appeal or 

claims involved in a derivation proceeding; or 

(iii) a copy of the trademark sought to be registered or 

cancelled and a copy of any registration relied on to 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 30 

refuse or oppose registration or to seek cancellation of 

registered mark in a trademark appeal. 

(D) If the appellant includes in the appendix material counterdesignated by the appellee under Federal Circuit Rule 30(b)

that the appellant considers to be included in violation of this 

rule, the appellant may so advise the appellee and the 

appellee must advance the costs of including those parts in the 

appendix. 

(E) The following must not be included in the appendix except by 

leave of the court, and any motion for leave must state the 

number of pages requested to be included: 

(i) briefs and memoranda, except as permitted by Federal 

Circuit Rule 30(a)(1)(F); 

(ii) notices; 

(iii) subpoenas—except where the enforcement or validity of 

a subpoena is at issue; 

(iv) summonses—except in appeals from the Court of 

International Trade; 

(v) motions to extend time; or 

(vi) jury lists. 

(F) Nothing in Federal Circuit Rule 30 prohibits from designation 

and inclusion in an appendix any of the following: 

(i) an examiner’s answer in an ex parte patent case; 

(ii) a trademark examining attorney’s appeal brief in an ex 

parte trademark case; 

(iii) briefs and memoranda in a case where the propriety of 

summary judgment is an issue or where there is an 

issue of waiver; or 

(iv) the notice of appeal. 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 30 

(2) Time for Filing. The appellant must serve and file the appendix 

within seven (7) days after the last reply brief is served and filed. 

When there is no cross-appeal, if the appellant does not file a reply 

brief, the appendix must be served and filed within the time for filing 

the reply brief. In a cross-appeal, if the cross-appellant does not file a 

reply brief, the appendix must be served and filed within seven (7) 

days after the time for filing the cross-appellant’s reply brief has 

expired. 

(3) Number of Copies. Six (6) paper copies of the appendix must be 

filed with the court in accordance with Federal Circuit Rule 25(c). 

(4) Appendix Volumes. No appendix volume filed electronically may 

exceed 400 sheets of paper when printed. Appendices exceeding 400 

printed sheets of paper must be divided into separate volumes before 

filing. A multi-volume appendix must have a volume number in 

Roman numerals and the pages included in the volume listed at the 

top of the cover of each volume (e.g., Volume II, Pages 542 to 813). 

Parties must not include a volume number on the cover of an 

appendix if that appendix consists of only one volume. A complete 

table of contents or index must be included in each volume of the 

appendix. 

(5) Consequence of Failing to File an Appendix. If the appellant 

fails to file the appendix, the clerk of court is authorized to dismiss 

the case. 

(b) Preparing the Appendix. 

(1) Designation of Material. The parties must compile a designation 

of material, consisting of all items in the record and other items 

required by Federal Circuit Rule 30, from which the appendix will be 

prepared. 

(A) The parties must attempt to agree on the designation no later 

than forty-five (45) days prior to the deadline for the 

appellant’s principal brief. 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 30 

(B) If the parties cannot agree within the timeframe, the 

appellant must serve its designation on the appellee along 

with a statement of the issues the appellant intends to present 

no later than thirty (30) days prior to the deadline for the 

appellant’s principal brief. Within fourteen (14) days 

thereafter, the appellee must serve on the appellant a counterdesignation of additional material, which the appellant must 

include, or inform the appellant that no additional material 

needs to be added. 

(2) Pagination.

(A) The appellant must assign consecutive page numbers to the 

designated material and serve on all parties either a table 

reflecting the page numbers of each item or, if not prohibited 

by an outstanding protective order, a physical compilation of 

the material with the assigned page numbers shown. 

(B) The first page numbers in the designated material must be 

assigned to all judgments, orders, agency actions, or other 

decisions appealed from and any opinions, memoranda, or 

findings and conclusions supporting them. Other items must 

follow in accordance with Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 

30(d). 

(C) The pages of the designated material must be numbered by 

the automated Bates numbering feature of the software used 

to convert the document into a PDF and must be in the format 

required by the clerk of court in the court’s Electronic Filing 

Procedures. 

(3) Extension of Time. The parties may extend the time to complete 

the designation without leave of the court; however, the designation 

and pagination must be completed before the appellant files its 

principal brief or the parties must move to extend the time to file the 

brief. If the designation cannot be timely completed due to a pending 

transcript request, an affidavit detailing what has been done to 

expedite transcription must be attached to the motion. 

(4) Prohibition on Filing. The parties are prohibited from filing the 

designation of material and any counter-designation, table of page 

numbers, or physical compilation with the court. 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 30 

(5) Preparation of Appendix. The appellant must prepare the 

appendix by selecting from the designated material only items 

required by these rules and pages specifically cited in the briefs of 

the parties, including the briefs of intervenors and amici. Pages not 

cited in the briefs—other than items required by these rules—must 

be omitted from the appendix. If all material designated by the 

parties comprises no more than 100 pages, the entire designation 

may be filed as the appendix and combined with the appellant’s 

principal brief pursuant to Federal Circuit Rule 30(d). 

(c) Format of Appendix. 

(1) Arrangement of Appendix. Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 

30(d) governs the arrangement of the appendix, except the 

judgments, orders, agency actions, or other decisions appealed from 

and any opinions, memoranda, or findings and conclusions 

supporting them must be placed first in the appendix. Pursuant to 

Federal Circuit Rule 25.1(e)(1)(A), if the appendix must include an 

excerpt of a statute imposing confidentiality or a judicial or 

administrative protective order, the excerpt or order must appear 

before the first page and may be paginated with Roman numerals. 

(2) Pagination. The page numbers in the appendix must be those 

assigned to the designated material in accordance with Federal 

Circuit Rule 30(b), and the pages must appear in numerical order. 

The pages must retain the Bates numbering of the designated 

material. The page numbers must appear centered in the bottom 

margin of each page and meet the font size requirements of Federal 

Rule of Appellate Procedure 32(a)(5). Other marks must be redacted 

if necessary to avoid confusion. Omission of pages need not be noted 

(e.g., page 102 may be followed by page 230 without stating that 

pages 103-229 are not reproduced). 

(3) Printing. The court encourages the double-sided printing of the 

pages of the appendix, an appendix combined with a brief, and an 

addendum. 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 30 

(d) Combined Brief and Appendix. 

(1) When a brief and appendix are combined, the cover must so indicate. 

(2) If either the appendix agreed upon by the parties or the designated 

material comprises no more than 100 pages, it may be bound 

together with the appellant’s or petitioner’s principal brief as a 

combined brief and appendix. 

(e) Separate or Supplemental Appendix. 

Except as provided below, no party may file a separate or supplemental 

appendix without leave of the court. 

(1) Appellee’s Appendix in an Unrepresented Party’s Case. In 

cases involving only unrepresented appellants who have failed to 

participate in determining the contents of the appendix or have filed 

an inadequate appendix, the appellee may file an appendix 

containing material permitted by Federal Circuit Rule 30(a). 

(2) Appendix Filed by the United States as an Appellee or 

Intervenor. If all appellants have failed to participate in 

determining the contents of the appendix or have filed an inadequate 

appendix, the United States or an officer or agency of the United 

States, as an appellee or intervenor, may file an appendix containing 

material permitted by Federal Circuit Rule 30(a). 

(3) Cover and Binding. If a separate or supplemental appendix 

contains no more than 100 pages, it may be bound together with the 

filer’s principal brief. If it is separately bound, then the cover must 

be red. 

(4) Pagination. The pages of a separate or supplemental appendix 

must be numbered by the automated Bates numbering feature of the 

software used to convert the document into a PDF and must be in 

the format required by the clerk of court in the court’s Electronic 

Filing Procedures. The separate or supplemental appendix need not 

follow any designated material pagination. 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 30 

(5) Time for Filing. Any separate or supplemental appendix must be 

filed within seven (7) days after the appendix would be due under 

Federal Circuit Rule 30(a)(3). 

(f) Costs. 

The costs of the table of page numbers or the copy of the physical 

compilation of the designated material in Federal Circuit Rule 30(b) may be 

assessed as provided in Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 30(b)(2). Costs 

associated with the inclusion of material under Federal Circuit Rule 

30(a)(1)(D) may be recovered. 

(g) Appendices Containing Confidential or Sealed Material. 

Federal Circuit Rule 25.1 applies to confidential or sealed material in 

appendices, exhibits, addenda, and attachments. 

(h) Unrepresented Party’s Informal Appendix. 

An informal brief will be considered filed with an appendix if it includes a 

copy of the judgment and opinion of the trial court or the final order of an 

administrative agency. The initial decision of the administrative judge 

must also be included in the appendix in a Merit Systems Protection Board 

case. If an unrepresented party chooses to separately file an appendix, then 

the items noted above must be included if they are not already attached to 

the informal brief. 

(i) Electronic Appendix Material Unable to be Produced in Paper. 

When the record has been perpetuated in whole or in part in an electronic 

format and that portion of the record cannot be reproduced in a nonelectronic format, those portions of the record that would properly be 

included in the appendix if they were in documentary form will be 

considered supplementary appendix material. 

(1) Copies. Four (4) copies must be filed on an electronic medium no 

later than the time to file the paper copies of the appendix under 

Federal Circuit Rule 25(c). These copies must be accompanied by a 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 30 

cover letter that includes the case number, short case name, and 

corresponding appendix page(s). 

(2) Statement Concerning Instructions and Malware. The copies 

must be accompanied by an affidavit or unsworn declaration under 

penalty of perjury under 28 U.S.C. § 1746, preferably within or 

attached to the packaging, that does the following: 

(A) sets forth the instructions for viewing the submission and the 

minimum equipment required for viewing; and 

(B) verifies the absence of computer malware and lists the 

software used to ensure that the submission is free of any 

malware. 

(3) Slip Sheet. A slip sheet representing the supplementary appendix 

material must be placed in the electronically filed appendix and 

corresponding paper copies. The slip sheet must bear proper 

appendix pagination and be included in the appendix where the 

material would have appeared. No separate notification is required. 
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79 

Practice Notes to Rule 30 

NOTICE OF NEW REFERENCES IN CROSS-APPELLANT’S REPLY 

BRIEF. 

To expedite preparing the appendix, a cross-appellant will notify the appellant 

promptly on being served the appellant’s reply brief whether the cross-appellant 

will file a reply brief and, if so, whether it will refer to pages not cited in the briefs 

already filed, listing any such pages. 

DISPENSING WITH THE APPENDIX. 

A motion to dispense with the appendix will be granted only in extraordinary 

circumstances. 

TESTIMONY IN THE APPENDIX. 

To reduce bulk in the appendix, the use of condensed, columnar transcripts of 

testimony is encouraged. 

APPENDIX VOLUMES. 

The limit of 400 sheets of paper per volume for appendix paper copies equates to 

800 pages per volume in the electronic version when the paper copies are printed 

double-sided. Parties should decide on a binding method in advance of electronic 

filing to ensure even smaller volumes will not be required. There is no minimum 

number of pages per volume, though the court discourages unnecessary 

subdivision. 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 31 

Serving and Filing Briefs 

(a) Time for Service and Filing. 

(1) Brief of Appellant or Petitioner.

(A) In an appeal from a court, the appellant must serve and file its 

principal brief within sixty (60) days after docketing. 

(B) In an appeal from an agency, the petitioner or appellant must 

serve and file its principal brief within sixty (60) days after 

the certified list or index is served pursuant to Federal Circuit 

Rule 17(c). 

(C) When two or more appellants or petitioners choose to proceed 

by filing a single brief, that brief must be served and filed no 

later than the latest date on which the principal brief of any of 

those appellants or petitioners is due. 

(D) In consolidated cases in which more than one set of parties 

filed a notice of appeal or petition for review, the deadline for 

the principal brief of the appellant or petitioner is computed 

from the docketing date of the last-docketed case or the date of 

service of the last-served certified list or index. In consolidated 

cross-appeals, the deadline is computed from the docketing 

date of the first-docketed case or date of service of the firstserved certified list or index. 

(2) Brief of Appellee or Cross-Appellant. The appellee or crossappellant must serve and file its principal brief within forty (40) days 

after the appellant’s brief is served or the certified list or index is 

served, whichever is later. 

(3) Cross-Appeal. In a cross-appeal, the following apply: 

(A) the appellant must serve and file its response and reply brief 

within forty (40) days after the cross-appellant’s principal and 

response brief is served; and 

(B) the cross-appellant must serve and file its reply brief within 

twenty-one (21) days after the appellant’s response and reply 

brief is served. 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 31 

(4) Brief Responding to Multiple Parties. A brief that responds to 

the briefs of multiple parties must be served and filed within the 

time prescribed after service of the last of those briefs. If one party 

timely files its brief and another party fails to file, then the deadline 

for any responsive brief will be calculated from the date of service of 

the filed brief or the date the unfiled brief was due, whichever is 

later. 

(b) Number of Copies. 

Six (6) paper copies of each brief, or three (3) paper copies if filing an 

informal brief, must be provided to the court in accordance with Federal 

Circuit Rule 25(c). 

(c) Certain Motions Suspend the Briefing Schedule. 

When a motion is filed that, if granted, would terminate an appeal, crossappeal, or consolidated appeal, the briefing schedule is suspended. This 

suspension does not apply to an appellant’s principal brief if the motion 

would only terminate a cross-appeal. If the motion is denied, the next brief 

becomes due, unless the court orders otherwise, within the balance of the 

time remaining under this rule when the motion was filed, but not fewer 

than fourteen (14) days from the date of the order. 

(d) Consequence of Failure to File a Brief by Appellant or Petitioner. 

If the appellant or petitioner fails to file a principal brief, the clerk of court 

is authorized to dismiss the case. 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 31 

(e) Informal Brief; Time for Filing. 

(1) Brief of Appellant or Petitioner.

(A) In an appeal from a court, an unrepresented appellant filing 

an informal brief must serve and file the brief within twentyone (21) days after the appeal is docketed. 

(B) In a petition for review or an appeal from an agency, board, 

commission, or arbitrator, an unrepresented petitioner or 

appellant filing an informal brief must serve and file the brief 

within twenty-one (21) days after the certified list or index is 

served pursuant to Federal Circuit Rule 17(c). 

(2) Brief of Appellee or Respondent. An appellee or respondent filing 

an informal brief must serve and file the brief within twenty-one (21) 

days after the petitioner’s or appellant’s brief is served or within 

twenty-one (21) days after the certified list or index is served 

pursuant to Federal Circuit Rule 17(c), whichever is later. 

(3) Reply Brief. When an informal brief is used, any reply brief must 

be served and filed within fourteen (14) days after the respondent’s 

or appellee’s brief is served. 
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83 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 32 

Form of Briefs, Appendices, and Other Papers; Length 

(a) Cover. 

Whenever a document is filed with a cover, that cover must contain the 

official caption provided by the clerk of court, unless noted otherwise in 

these rules. See Federal Circuit Rule 12(b) and Federal Circuit Rule 

15(b)(4). This caption satisfies the requirement under Federal Rule of 

Appellate Procedure 32(a)(2)(C). “Nonconfidential” or “public” may not 

appear on the cover or first page of any filing unless there is a 

corresponding confidential version. 

(b) Type-Volume Limitations. 

(1) Brief Word or Line Limitation. A principal brief may exceed 

thirty (30) pages in length if it contains no more than 14,000 words, 

or 1,300 lines of text if using a monospaced typeface. A reply brief 

may exceed fifteen (15) pages in length if it contains no more than 

7,000 words, or 650 lines of text if using a monospaced typeface. 

(2) Exclusions. In addition to the items listed in Federal Rule of 

Appellate Procedure 32(f) that are not counted in the type-volume 

limitations of these rules, the following items do not count toward 

those limitations: 

(A) certificate of interest; 

(B) statement of related cases; 

(C) any addendum; 

(D) any requirements under Federal Circuit Rule 25.1(e); and 

(E) statement of counsel for a petition for hearing or rehearing en 

banc under Federal Circuit Rule 35(b). 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 32 

(3) Certificate of Compliance for Briefs. Each brief exceeding the 

page limitation under Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 

32(a)(7)(A) or Federal Circuit Rule 28.1(a) must include a certificate 

of compliance with the type-volume limitation that adheres to the 

requirements in Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 32(g). It is the 

responsibility of the filing party to ensure that the certificate of 

compliance is accurate. 

(c) Informal Brief. 

An informal brief must be prepared on a form provided by the clerk of 

court. The form contains instructions for preparing and filing an informal 

brief. An informal brief should be typewritten, but block printing or, as a 

last resort, legible handwriting is permitted. An informal brief including 

continuation pages must not exceed thirty (30) pages of typewritten doublespaced text or its equivalent. The paper informal briefs may be secured by a 

single staple in the left-hand corner in lieu of any other form of binding 

required by Federal Circuit Rule 32(h). 

(d) Form of Appendix or Addendum. 

 The court encourages the double-sided printing of the pages of the 

appendix, an appendix combined with a brief, and an addendum. 

(e) Pagination. 

Submissions to the court over two (2) pages must include page numbers. 

The page number must be centered at the bottom of the page and 

need not be included on a cover page. 

(f) Page Proof. 

Page proof copies of documents must not be filed with the court. 
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85 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 32 

(g) Signature Authority; Multiple Signatures. 

(1) Appearance Prerequisites. After a case is docketed, documents 

filed in that case on behalf of a represented party can only be signed 

by an attorney who has filed an entry of appearance for that party. 

(2) Signature Authority. Any person having actual authority may sign 

a document on behalf of counsel or an unrepresented party who is 

unavailable to sign or incapable of signing, provided the filing also 

includes as an attachment an affidavit of authority or an unsworn 

declaration of authority under penalty of perjury pursuant to 28 

U.S.C. § 1746. 

(3) Documents Requiring Multiple Signatures. Any document 

requiring the signature of more than one party or individual must 

include the signature of the filer and account for all other signatures 

in either one or a combination of the following fashions: 

(A) The document may contain the handwritten signatures of the 

other parties or individuals. 

(B) The document may contain the electronic signatures of the 

other parties or individuals with their consent and must so 

state that consent. 

(C) The document may identify the other parties or individuals 

required to sign, and those parties or individuals must file a 

notice endorsing the signature within three (3) business days 

after filing. 

(h) Binding. 

Paper copies of briefs and appendices must be securely bound along the left 

margin to ensure that the bound copies will not loosen or fall apart and 

that the brief will lie reasonably flat when open. 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 32 

(i) Extraneous Markings. 

Parties must not include any highlighting or extraneous markings within 

either the briefs or the appendix beyond confidentiality notations required 

by these rules or markings that originally appeared on appendix materials 

in the record below. 

Practice Notes to Rule 32 

PREFERRED COVER CONTENT. 

In addition to the requirements of Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 

32(a)(2)(D), the court encourages inclusion on the cover of the name of the judge, 

when applicable, from whose judgment appeal is taken. 

PRINT SIZE OF BRIEFS. 

Parties should avoid photo-reproduction that reduces the print size of the original 

smaller than the size required by Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 32. 

FOOTNOTES. 

The typeface requirements of Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 32(a)(5) apply 

to all text in the brief, including footnotes. 

COPIES OF PATENT DOCUMENTS. 

Oversize patent documents reproduced in a brief or appendix should be photoreduced to 8 1/2 by 11 inches if readability can be maintained; otherwise, they 

should be folded and bound so they do not protrude from the covers of the brief or 

appendix. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

87 

Practice Notes to Rule 32 

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE. 

Using Federal Circuit Form 19 satisfies the requirements for a certificate of 

compliance with type-volume limitations under Federal Rule of Appellate 

Procedure 32(g)(1) and Federal Circuit Rule 32(b)(3). Parties are reminded that 

some software programs do not automatically include footnotes. When certain 

text is marked for word count or line count purposes, a party may need to 

separately mark text in footnotes and include those words or lines in the certified 

count. 

FILINGS IN COMPANION CASES. 

Except when otherwise ordered, all filings in companion cases must be made in 

each individual case with the individual case numbers and case captions included 

on each respective case-specific filing. Unless otherwise directed, required paper 

copies must be submitted in each respective case. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

88 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 32.1 

Citing Judicial Dispositions 

(a) Nonprecedential Disposition. 

A nonprecedential disposition must bear a legend designating it as 

nonprecedential. A precedential disposition will bear no legend. 

(b) Nonprecedential Opinion or Order. 

An opinion or order which is designated as nonprecedential is one 

determined by the panel issuing it as not adding significantly to the body of 

law. 

(c) Parties’ Citation of Nonprecedential Dispositions. 

Parties are not prohibited or restricted from citing nonprecedential 

dispositions. 

(d) Court’s Consideration of Nonprecedential or Unpublished 

Dispositions. 

The court may refer to a nonprecedential or unpublished disposition in an 

opinion or order and may look to a nonprecedential or unpublished 

disposition for guidance or persuasive reasoning, but will not give one of its 

own nonprecedential dispositions the effect of binding precedent. The court 

will not consider nonprecedential or unpublished dispositions of another 

court as binding precedent of that court unless the rules of that court so 

provide. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

89 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 32.1 

(e) Request to Make an Opinion or Order Precedential. 

Within sixty (60) days after the court issues a nonprecedential opinion or 

order, any person may request through motion filed in the case that the 

opinion or order be reissued as precedential. The request will be considered 

by the panel that rendered the disposition. The motion must identify any 

case that person knows to be pending that would be determined or affected 

by reissuance as precedential. Parties to pending cases having a stake in 

the outcome of a decision on the motion must be given an opportunity to 

respond. If the request is granted, the opinion or order may be revised as 

appropriate. 

(f) Public Records. 

All dispositions by the court in any form will be in writing and are public 

records. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

90 

Practice Notes to Rule 32.1 

FILING AN OPINION. 

An opinion is issued when ready. No particular day of the week is considered a 

“down day.” The judgment is entered on the day the opinion is filed with the clerk 

of court and transmitted to the parties. 

AVAILABILITY OF AN OPINION. 

The court’s precedential and nonprecedential opinions are available in a variety of 

commercially available print and electronic media, as well as online through the 

court’s website and the U.S. Government Publishing Office’s website. 

SUBSCRIPTIONS. 

Subscriptions to daily opinions and other items are available through the court’s 

website at http://www.cafc.uscourts.gov/email-subscriptions. 

REQUEST TO MAKE AN OPINION OR ORDER PRECEDENTIAL. 

It is improper to refer in a brief to a request to make an opinion or order 

precedential before the request has been acted on. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

91 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 33 

Appeal Conferences 

(a) Settlement Discussion; Joint Statement of Compliance or 

Agreement to Dismiss. 

(1) Timing. When all parties are represented by counsel, within seven 

(7) days after the first two briefs in an appeal or the first three briefs 

in a cross-appeal are served and filed, the parties through counsel 

must discuss settlement in appeals under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1292(c)(1)-(2); 

1295(a)(1); 1295(a)(4)(A)-(B) [with respect to inter partes proceedings 

only]; 1295(a)(4)(C) [with respect to civil actions under 35 U.S.C. 

§ 146 only]; and 1295(a)(6). 

(2) Compliance. No later than the time for filing the appendix under 

Federal Circuit Rule 30(a)(2), the parties must file either of the 

following: 

(A) a joint statement of compliance with this rule indicating that 

settlement discussions have been conducted; or 

(B) an agreement that the proceeding be dismissed under Federal 

Rule of Appellate Procedure 42(b).

(b) Other Settlement Discussions. 

This rule does not preclude the parties from discussing settlement or 

agreeing to dismiss the proceedings at other times, including after oral 

argument but before decision. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

92 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 33.1 

Mediation Guidelines 

(a) Guidelines. 

The court may adopt mediation guidelines with respect to mediation of the 

cases pending before the court. These guidelines are binding on the parties. 

(b) Docketing Statement. 

Filing a docketing statement under the court’s mediation guidelines 

satisfies the requirement for an appellant to file a statement of the issues 

under Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 10(b)(3)(A). 
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93 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 34 

Oral Argument 

(a) Reply Brief Instead of Oral Argument. 

If an appeal is not called for oral argument and the appellant declined to 

file a reply brief in anticipation of replying during oral argument, the 

appellant may file a reply brief within fourteen (14) days after the notice 

that the appeal will be submitted on the briefs. 

(b) Time Allowed. 

The time allowed each side for oral argument will be determined by the 

court. The clerk of court will advise the parties of the time allotted. A party 

is not obliged to use all the time allowed. The court may terminate the 

argument if it deems further argument unnecessary. 

(c) Visual Aids. 

(1) Visual Aids Used at a Trial or Administrative Hearing; 

Notice. If a party intends to display at oral argument a visual aid 

used at a trial or administrative hearing, the party must advise the 

court by letter no later than fourteen (14) days before argument. 

(2) Visual Aids Not Used at a Trial or Administrative Hearing; 

Notice. If a party intends to display at oral argument a visual aid 

that was not used at a trial or administrative hearing, the party 

must give notice to opposing counsel and notify the court by letter no 

later than twenty-one (21) days before argument. 

(3) Objection to the Use of Visual Aids. An objection to the proposed 

use of a visual aid at oral argument must be submitted as a letter 

and filed no later than seven (7) days before the oral argument. If a 

party objects, the parties’ submissions will be treated as a motion 

and response and will be referred to the panel. 

(4) Scope. Presentation programs or projection equipment may not be 

utilized during argument without leave of the court. A motion for 

leave must be filed no later than twenty-one (21) days before 

argument. This rule does not preclude use of a chalkboard or 

equivalent supplied by the party. 
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94 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 34 

(5) Disposition. The clerk of court may dispose of visual aids not 

removed by the parties. 

(d) Scheduling Conflicts. 

(1) Notice from the Clerk. In cases to be scheduled for oral argument, 

the clerk of court will issue a notice to the parties following the end 

of briefing to request scheduling conflict information from counsel. 

(2) Requirement to Notify of Conflicts. Within seven (7) days after 

the clerk of court issues a notice, the parties must notify the court in 

writing of any scheduling conflicts. Until the case is scheduled for 

argument or submitted or resolved without argument, counsel has a 

continuing obligation to advise the court of any additional scheduling 

conflicts or changes to existing scheduling conflicts that arise after 

counsel responds to the clerk of court’s initial notice. 

(3) Good Cause Requirement. Arguing counsel must show good cause 

for each identified scheduling conflict; conflicts that do not provide 

sufficient showing of good cause will not be considered. If arguing 

counsel fails to show good cause for a scheduling conflict in advance 

of scheduling and the court schedules the case on a day arguing 

counsel is unavailable, then the case will not be rescheduled absent a 

showing of compelling reason and leave of court. 

(e) Arguing Counsel. 

(1) Notice of Oral Argument. The clerk of court will notify parties 

when a case has been scheduled for argument. Arguing counsel must 

respond to the notice of oral argument on the form prescribed by the 

clerk of court within the time requested by the clerk of court. 

(2) Limitation on the Number of Arguing Counsel. Absent leave of 

court requested at least seven (7) days before argument, no more 

than two counsel may argue on behalf of each side and no more than 

one counsel may argue on behalf of each party. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

95 

Practice Notes to Rule 34 

SCHEDULING CONFLICTS. 

Counsel should not submit any scheduling conflicts before receiving the notice 

from the clerk of court. In responding to the notice, counsel are advised that the 

unavailability of a client or non-arguing co-counsel is an insufficient basis for 

showing good cause. 

COURT SESSIONS; HEARING DATE. 

Sessions of the court will be held as announced by the court. Sessions are held 

regularly in Washington, DC, but the court may sit elsewhere pursuant to 

Federal Circuit Rule 47.1. The Notice of Oral Argument is usually issued within 

four (4) months after all briefs and the appendix are filed. Counsel are advised of 

the scheduled date of hearing approximately six (6) weeks before the session. 

ACCESSIBILITY ACCOMMODATIONS. 

A party or counsel of record requiring a communication-based disability 

accommodation should notify the clerk of court at least two (2) weeks before the 

scheduled hearing. A party requiring a mobility-based disability accommodation 

should notify the clerk of court at the time of filing the notice of scheduling 

conflicts. Additional information about accessibility accommodations is available 

on the court’s website, www.cafc.uscourts.gov. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

96 

Practice Notes to Rule 34 

ORAL ARGUMENT. 

Counsel must report to the clerk’s office at least thirty (30) minutes before the 

scheduled session and before proceeding to the courtroom. The members of the 

panel will have read the briefs before oral argument. Counsel should, therefore, 

emphasize the dispositive issue or issues. Time allotted for oral argument is 

ordinarily fifteen (15) minutes per side (not per party or attorney), although the 

court may vary this depending on the nature of the case. The court may extend 

the allotted time during the argument, or it may terminate the argument, if it 

deems it appropriate. 

JUSTIFICATION FOR CLAIM OF CONFIDENTIALITY. 

Unnecessarily designating material in the briefs and appendix as confidential 

may hinder the court’s preparation and issuance of opinions. Counsel must be 

prepared to justify at oral argument any claim of confidentiality. 

CONDUCT OF ORAL ARGUMENT. 

Guidelines for the conduct of oral argument are available on the court’s website, 

www.cafc.uscourts.gov, in the Clerk’s Office’s Guide for Oral Argument. 

COPIES OF RECORDINGS AVAILABLE. 

Oral arguments are recorded for the convenience of the court. Recordings are 

available on the court’s website, www.cafc.uscourts.gov, free of charge. The court 

does not provide or produce transcripts of oral argument or recommend 

transcription services. 

OPEN TO PUBLIC. 

Unless held in camera, oral arguments are open to the public. Those in 

attendance whose attire or behavior reflects adversely on the dignity of the 

proceedings will be asked to leave. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

97 

Practice Notes to Rule 34 

ORAL ARGUMENT ON MOTIONS. 

Oral argument is ordinarily not granted on motions. See Federal Rule of 

Appellate Procedure 27(e). 

INTRODUCING NEW AUTHORITY AT ARGUMENT. 

A party seeking to raise new authority at argument that was not previously 

submitted to the court should provide a copy of the new authority to the opposing 

party in advance of argument. 

USE OF VISUAL AIDS. 

The court discourages the use of visual aids or presentations during argument.

FORMS 

Using Federal Circuit Form 32 satisfies the requirements for responding to the 

clerk of court’s notice to advise of scheduling conflicts and for ongoing advising of 

schedule conflict changes under Federal Circuit Rule 34(d). Using Federal Circuit 

Form 33 satisfies the requirements for responding to the clerk of court’s notice of 

oral argument under Federal Circuit Rule 34(e). 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

98 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 35 

En Banc Determination 

(a) General. 

(1) Arguing to a Panel to Overrule a Precedent. Although only the 

court en banc may overrule a binding precedent, a party may argue, 

in its brief and oral argument, to overrule a binding precedent 

without petitioning for hearing en banc. The panel will decide 

whether to ask the judges in regular active service to consider 

hearing the case en banc. 

(2) Frivolous Petition. A petition for hearing or rehearing en banc 

that does not meet the standards of Federal Rule of Appellate 

Procedure 35(a) may be deemed frivolous and sanctions may be 

imposed. 

(b) Statement of Counsel. 

(1) Petition for Hearing En Banc. A petition that an appeal be 

initially heard en banc must contain the following statement of, and 

separately signed by, counsel at the beginning: 

Based on my professional judgment, I believe this appeal requires 

an answer to one or more precedent-setting questions of 

exceptional importance: (set forth each question in a separate 

sentence). 

(2) Petition for Rehearing En Banc. A petition that an appeal be 

reheard en banc must contain one or both of the following statements 

of, and separately signed by, counsel at the beginning: 

Based on my professional judgment, I believe the panel decision is 

contrary to the following decision(s) of the Supreme Court of the 

United States or the precedent(s) of this court: (cite specific 

decisions). 

Based on my professional judgment, I believe this appeal requires 

an answer to one or more precedent-setting questions of 

exceptional importance: (set forth each question in a separate 

sentence). 
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99 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 35 

(c) Number of Copies. 

Eighteen (18) paper copies of any petition for hearing or rehearing en banc, 

combined petition, or related response must be filed with the court in 

accordance with Federal Circuit Rule 25(c). 

(d) Combined Petition for Panel Rehearing and Rehearing En Banc. 

If a party chooses to file both a petition for panel rehearing under Federal 

Circuit Rule 40 and a petition for a rehearing en banc, then the two must 

not be filed separately and they must be combined. The cover of a combined 

petition must indicate that it is a combined petition. 

(e) Contents of Petition for Hearing En Banc, Petition for Rehearing 

En Banc, and Combined Petition; Response. 

(1) Required Contents. The required contents for a petition for 

hearing en banc, petition for rehearing en banc, and combined 

petition are as follows: 

(A) a white cover or first sheet as prescribed in Federal Rule of 

Appellate Procedure 32(c)(2)(A); 

(B) the certificate of interest under Federal Circuit Rule 47.4, 

which must appear immediately after the front page; 

(C) the table of contents; 

(D) the table of authorities; 

(E) the statement of counsel required under Federal Circuit Rule 

35(b); 

(F) if filing a combined petition, the points of law or fact the filer 

believes the court has overlooked or misapprehended as 

required under Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 40(a)(2); 

(G) the argument; 
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100 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 35 

(H) if filing a petition for rehearing en banc or combined petition, 

a copy of this court’s dispositive order, opinion, or judgment of 

affirmance without opinion attached as an addendum; and 

(I) a certificate of compliance that adheres to Federal Rule of 

Appellate Procedure 32(g). 

(2) Response. If the court requests a response, which must not exceed 

3,900 words if prepared electronically or fifteen (15) pages otherwise, 

the required contents are as follows: 

(A) a white cover or first sheet as prescribed in Federal Rule of 

Appellate Procedure 32(c)(2)(A); 

(B) the certificate of interest under Federal Circuit Rule 47.4, 

which must appear immediately after the front page; 

(C) the table of contents; 

(D) the table of authorities; 

(E) the argument in response; 

(F) any addendum under Federal Circuit Rule 35(i); and 

(G) a certificate of compliance that adheres to Federal Rule of 

Appellate Procedure 32(g). 
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101 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 35 

(f) Copies of Briefs in Cases to be Heard or Reheard En Banc. 

Paper copies of all briefs and appendices that were before the panel that 

initially heard the appeal, as well as any briefs and appendices ordered by 

the court during en banc consideration, must be provided to the court in 

accordance with Federal Circuit Rule 25(c), unless the court directs 

otherwise. 

(g) Amicus Curiae Brief. 

In addition to the content requirements under Federal Rule of Appellate 

Procedure 29(b)(4), the following apply to amicus curiae briefs filed during 

the court’s consideration of whether to grant a petition for hearing en banc, 

petition for rehearing en banc, or combined petition for panel rehearing and 

rehearing en banc, except as otherwise permitted or directed by the court. 

(1) Leave. The brief must be accompanied by a motion for leave to file. 

(2) Timeliness. Any brief and motion for leave must be filed within 

fourteen (14) days after the date of the filing of the petition or 

response that the amicus curiae supports. If the amicus curiae does 

not support either party, then the brief and motion must be filed 

within fourteen (14) days after the date of the filing of the petition. 

(3) Type-Volume Limitation. The brief must not exceed 2,600 words if 

prepared electronically or ten (10) pages otherwise. 

(4) Number of Copies. Eighteen (18) paper copies of the brief must be 

provided to the court in accordance with Federal Circuit Rule 25(c). 
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102 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 35 

(h) Informal En Banc Petition; Response. 

(1) Informal Petition. An unrepresented party may file three (3) 

copies of an informal petition for hearing en banc, petition for 

rehearing en banc, or combined petition for panel rehearing and 

rehearing en banc in letter form not to exceed fifteen (15) 

typewritten double-spaced pages, attaching to each a copy of the 

dispositive order, opinion, or judgment sought to be reheard, if 

applicable. 

(2) Informal Response. If the court requests a response to an informal 

petition for hearing en banc, informal petition for rehearing en banc, 

or informal combined petition for panel rehearing and rehearing en 

banc, or if the court requests an unrepresented party to respond to a 

formal petition, the response may be informal. The informal response 

may not exceed fifteen (15) typewritten double-spaced pages, and 

three (3) copies must be filed in accordance with Federal Circuit Rule 

25(c). 

(i) Addendum Contents.

(1) Court’s Decision. A copy of the dispositive order, opinion, or 

judgment of affirmance without opinion sought to be reheard must 

be bound with the petition as an addendum. 

(2) Reproduction of Statutes, Rules, Regulations, etc. If the court’s 

determination of the issues presented requires the study of statutes, 

rules, regulations, etc., the relevant parts must be set out in the 

petition or response, or in any addendum attached to the petition or 

response. 

(3) Other Material. Material not listed in subsections (1)-(2) above or 

permitted under Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 32.1(b) may 

not be included as an addendum without leave of the court. 
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103 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 35 

(j) Time.

A petition for rehearing en banc or combined petition for panel rehearing 

and rehearing en banc must be filed within the time prescribed for a 

petition for panel rehearing under Federal Circuit Rule 40(d). 

Practice Notes to Rule 35 

HEARING OR REHEARING EN BANC. 

The court may sua sponte order that an appeal be initially heard or be reheard en 

banc. The panel or a judge on the panel that is considering a case may at any time 

request the judges of the court in regular active service to hear or rehear the case 

en banc with or without further briefs or argument by counsel. 

REHEARING EN BANC; SENIOR JUDGES. 

If a senior judge participated in the original hearing and disposition of a case for 

which rehearing en banc is granted, that senior judge may participate fully in the 

rehearing. 

COMBINED PETITION FOR PANEL REHEARING AND REHEARING EN 

BANC. 

When a combined petition for panel rehearing and petition for rehearing en banc 

is filed, the petition for panel rehearing is decided first in the same manner as a 

petition for panel rehearing without an accompanying petition for rehearing en 

banc. If the panel grants the requested relief, the petition for rehearing en banc is 

deemed moot. 

PETITION FOR REHEARING EN BANC REFERRED TO PANEL. 

A petition for rehearing en banc is presumed to request relief that can be granted 

by the panel that heard the appeal, and action on the petition for rehearing en 

banc will be deferred until the panel has an opportunity to grant the relief 

requested. 
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104 

Practice Notes to Rule 35 

TIMELINESS. 

A petition for hearing or rehearing en banc is filed when the court receives it, not 

on the date it was mailed. The clerk of court may return an untimely petition for 

hearing or rehearing en banc. 

NONPRECEDENTIAL OPINIONS. 

A petition for rehearing en banc is rarely appropriate if the appeal was the 

subject of a nonprecedential opinion by the panel of judges that heard it. 

WRIT OF CERTIORARI. 

Filing a petition for a panel rehearing or for rehearing en banc is not a 

prerequisite to filing a petition for a writ of certiorari in the Supreme Court. 
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105 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 36 

Entry of Judgment 

(a) Judgment of Affirmance Without Opinion. 

The court may enter a judgment of affirmance without opinion, citing this 

rule, when it determines that any of the following conditions exist and an 

opinion would have no precedential value: 

(1) the judgment, decision, or order of the trial court appealed from is 

based on findings that are not clearly erroneous; 

(2) the evidence supporting the jury’s verdict is sufficient; 

(3) the record supports summary judgment, directed verdict, or 

judgment on the pleadings; 

(4) the decision of an administrative agency warrants affirmance under 

the standard of review in the statute authorizing the petition for 

review; or 

(5) a judgment or decision has been entered without an error of law. 

(b) Separate Judgment. 

The clerk of court will not prepare a separate judgment when a case is 

disposed of by order without opinion. The order of the court serves as the 

judgment when entered. 
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106 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 39 

Costs 

(a) Notice of Entitlement to Costs. 

When the clerk of court provides notice of judgment or order disposing of an 

appeal, the clerk of court must advise which party or parties are entitled to 

costs. Notice of entitlement to costs may be made in the judgment, in the 

order disposing of the appeal, or on the docket. 

(b) Bill of Costs; Objection. 

A party must file the bill of costs on the form prescribed by the court. An 

objection to the bill of costs must not exceed 1,300 words if prepared using 

a computer or five (5) pages otherwise. Any objection must include a 

certificate of compliance that adheres to Federal Rule of Appellate 

Procedure 32(g)(1). 

(c) Rates. 

The clerk of court is authorized to set a maximum rate at which costs may 

be taxed. In setting the maximum rate, the clerk of court will evaluate the 

most economical means of printing, reproduction, and binding available in 

the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The maximum rates set will be 

posted on the court’s website and included as an attachment to the court’s 

published Federal Rules of Practice and Bill of Costs form. Costs are taxed 

at the maximum rate or at the actual cost, whichever is lower. Costs may 

not be taxed for more paper copies than those required by Federal Circuit 

Rule 25(c). 

(d) Taxable Costs. 

A motion for leave providing specific explanation and justification must 

accompany the bill of costs if costs for items not described in Federal Rule 

Appellate Procedure 39(c) are sought or if costs are sought at a rate higher 

than the allowable costs. 
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107 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 39 

(e) Costs in Favor of Intervenors.

No costs will be taxed in favor of intervenors without leave of the court. 

Practice Notes to Rule 39 

COSTS WHEN THE UNITED STATES IS A PARTY. 

28 U.S.C. § 2412(a) authorizes costs to be taxed against the United States; thus, 

costs (as defined in 28 U.S.C. § 1920) may be awarded both for and against the 

United States in this court. 

ALLOWABLE COSTS. 

The costs of correcting a nonconforming brief or appendix are not taxable. Counsel 

are urged to stipulate to costs. 

PAYMENT OF COSTS TAXED. 

Pay the party or parties in whose favor costs are taxed by check sent to counsel 

for the party or to the party if the party is unrepresented. The court is not 

involved in collection matters. 

COSTS IN A CASE INVOLVING A CLAIM UNDER THE UNIFORMED 

SERVICES EMPLOYMENT AND REEMPLOYMENT RIGHTS ACT OF 

1994. 

No costs are taxed if the underlying appeal involved a claim under the Uniformed 

Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA). 38 

U.S.C. §§ 4323, 4324. The petitioner must complete Federal Circuit Form 6B to 

inform the court that the case involves a claim under USERRA. 

FORM FOR BILL OF COSTS. 

Using Federal Circuit Form 24 satisfies the Bill of Costs form requirements under 

Federal Circuit Rule 39(b).
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108 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 40 

Petition for Panel Rehearing 

(a) Contents of Petition for Panel Rehearing. 

The required contents for a petition for panel rehearing are as follows: 

(1) a white cover or first page as prescribed in Federal Rule of Appellate 

Procedure 32(c)(2)(A); 

(2) the certificate of interest under Federal Circuit Rule 47.4, which 

must appear immediately after the front page; 

(3) the table of contents; 

(4) the table of authorities; 

(5) the points of law or fact overlooked or misapprehended by the court; 

(6) the argument; 

(7) an addendum containing a copy of the court’s dispositive order, 

opinion, or judgment of affirmance without opinion; and 

(8) a certificate of compliance that adheres to Federal Rule of Appellate 

Procedure 32(g). 

(b) Addendum Contents. 

(1) Court’s Decision. A copy of the dispositive order, opinion, or 

judgment of affirmance without opinion sought to be reheard must 

be bound with the petition for panel rehearing as an addendum. 

(2) Reproduction of Statutes, Rules, Regulations, etc. If the court’s 

determination of the issues presented requires the study of statutes, 

rules, regulations, etc., the relevant parts must be set out in the 

petition or response, or in any addendum attached to the petition or 

response. 

(3) Other Material. Material not listed in subsections (1)-(2) above or 

permitted under Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 32.1(b) may 

not be included as an addendum without leave of the court. 
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109 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 40 

(c) Response. 

If the court requests a response, which must not exceed 3,900 words if 

prepared electronically or fifteen (15) pages otherwise, the required 

contents are as follows: 

(1) a white cover or first sheet with the information prescribed in 

Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 32(c)(2)(A); 

(2) the certificate of interest under Federal Circuit Rule 47.4, which 

must appear immediately after the front page; 

(3) the table of contents; 

(4) the table of authorities; 

(5) the argument; 

(6) any addendum under Federal Circuit Rule 40(b); and 

(7) a certificate of compliance that adheres to Federal Circuit Rule 

32(g)(1). 

(d) Time. 

Except for a civil case in which the United States or its officer or agency is 

a party, a petition for panel rehearing may be filed within thirty (30) days 

after entry of judgment. If the United States or its officer or agency is a 

party, a petition for panel rehearing may be filed within forty-five (45) days 

after entry of judgment. 

(e) Informal Petition for Panel Rehearing; Response. 

(1) Informal Petition. An unrepresented party may file three (3) 

copies of an informal petition for panel rehearing in letter form not 

to exceed fifteen (15) typewritten double-spaced pages, attaching to 

each a copy of the dispositive order, opinion, or judgment sought to 

be reheard. 
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110 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 40 

(2) Informal Response. If the court requests a response to an informal 

petition for panel rehearing, or if the court requests an 

unrepresented party to respond to a formal petition for panel 

rehearing, the response may be informal. The informal response may 

not exceed fifteen (15) typewritten double-spaced pages, and three 

(3) copies must be filed in accordance with Federal Circuit Rule 

25(c). 

(f) Amicus Curiae Brief. 

In addition to the content requirements under Federal Rule of Appellate 

Procedure 29(b)(4), the following apply to amicus curiae briefs filed during 

the panel’s consideration of whether to grant a petition for panel rehearing, 

except as otherwise permitted or directed by the court. 

(1) Leave. The brief must be accompanied by a motion for leave to file. 

(2) Timeliness. Any brief and motion for leave must be filed within 

fourteen (14) days after the date of the filing of the petition or 

response that the amicus curiae supports. If the amicus curiae does 

not support either party, then the brief and motion for leave to file 

the brief must be filed within fourteen (14) days after the date of the 

filing of the petition. 

(3) Type-Volume Limitation. The brief must not exceed 2,600 words if 

prepared electronically, or ten (10) pages otherwise. 

(4) Number of Copies. Three (3) paper copies of the brief must be 

provided to the court in accordance with Federal Circuit Rule 25(c). 

(g) Number of Copies. 

Three (3) paper copies of any petition for panel rehearing or response to 

any petition for panel rehearing must be provided to the court in 

accordance with Federal Circuit Rule 25(c). 
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Practice Notes to Rule 40 

TIMELINESS. 

A petition for panel rehearing is filed when the court receives it, not on the date it 

was mailed. The clerk of court may return an untimely petition for panel 

rehearing. 

ACTION BY THE COURT. 

When a petition for panel rehearing is filed, the clerk of court will transmit copies 

to the panel that decided the case. The clerk of court will enter an order denying 

the petition unless a majority of the panel agrees to rehear the case. Rehearing 

before the panel may take place with or without further briefing or oral argument 

by the parties as the court directs. 

COMBINED PETITIONS. 

Federal Circuit Rule 35 governs the filing of combined petitioned for panel 

rehearing and rehearing en banc. 

WRIT OF CERTIORARI. 

Filing a petition for a panel rehearing is not a prerequisite to filing a petition for 

a writ of certiorari in the Supreme Court. 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 41 

Issuance of Mandate 

An order dismissing a case on consent or for failure to prosecute, or 

dismissing or remanding a case on motion, will constitute the mandate. 

Except as above noted, in an appeal dismissed by the court sua sponte, the 

mandate will issue in regular course. 

Practice Note to Rule 41 

RELATION OF MANDATE TO APPLICATION FOR CERTIORARI; STAY. 

That a mandate has issued does not affect the right to apply to the Supreme 

Court for a writ of certiorari. Consequently, a motion to stay the mandate should 

advance reasons for the stay beyond the mere intention to apply for certiorari, 

e.g., to forestall action in the trial court or agency that would necessitate a 

remedial order of the Supreme Court if the writ of certiorari were granted. 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 45 

Clerk of Court’s Duties 

(a) Dismissal by Clerk of Court; Reconsideration. 

The clerk of court may dismiss an appeal for a failure to follow the Federal 

Rules of Appellate Procedure or these Federal Circuit Rules. A party may 

move that the court reconsider such dismissal, and any motion for 

reconsideration must be filed within fourteen (14) days after issuance of the 

order of dismissal and must not exceed five (5) pages. An unrepresented 

party may file an informal motion for reconsideration of the dismissal, 

which may be in the form of a letter. 

(b) Release of Confidential or Sealed Materials. 

Absent court order or authorization by these rules, the clerk of court may 

not publicly release any confidential or sealed document except to serve 

case participants with court-issued documents filed under seal. Ex parte 

confidential filings will remain restricted to the court until such time as the 

court deems them fit for release to the parties or the public. 

(c) Authority to Enter Orders. 

The clerk of court may enter an order “For the Court” only when authorized 

by these rules or at the direction of a judge or the court. 

(d) Communication with the Court. 

All correspondence and telephone calls about cases and motions and all 

press inquiries must be directed to the clerk of court. 

(e) Deputy Clerks. 

For purposes of these rules, any action that may be taken by the clerk of 

court may also be taken by any sworn deputy clerk of this court. 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 45 

(f) Electronic Orders and Court Documents. 

(1) Entry and Notice. The electronic filing by the clerk of court of any 

order, opinion, judgment, notice, or other court-issued document 

through the court’s electronic filing system constitutes entry of that 

document on the docket maintained by the clerk of court under 

Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 45(b), as well as notice to and 

service upon registered electronic filers under Federal Rule of 

Appellate Procedure 45(c). The clerk of court must give notice in 

paper form to any party not receiving electronic notice through the 

court’s electronic filing system. 

(2) Signature and Validity. Documents issued by the court, the clerk 

of court, or an authorized court representative are selfauthenticating when issued through the court’s electronic filing 

system. Documents requiring signature may be signed with an 

original, handwritten signature; an electronic signature consistent 

with the signature requirements for electronically filed documents 

under Federal Circuit Rule 25; or an affixed seal of the court. Any 

court document electronically signed and filed through the court’s 

electronic filing system has the same force and effect as if it had been 

signed with an original, handwritten signature. 

(3) Paperless Orders. For routine procedural and notification matters, 

the clerk of court has the discretion to enter a notice or an order on 

the electronic docket as a text-only entry. Such orders have the same 

force and effect as any other order or notice. The clerk of court must 

give notice in paper form to any party not receiving electronic notice 

through the court’s electronic filing system. 

(g) Public Notice. 

For purposes of these rules, the clerk of court satisfies any public notice 

requirement by posting the notice on the court’s website. 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 46 

Attorneys 

(a) Eligibility. 

An attorney is eligible for admission to the bar of this court if that attorney 

is of good moral and professional character and is admitted to practice 

before and of good standing in any of the following: 

(1) any of the courts listed in Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 46(a); 

(2) the United States Court of International Trade; 

(3) the United States Court of Federal Claims; 

(4) the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims; or 

(5) the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. 

(b) Procedure for Admission. 

(1) Motion in Open Court. An attorney may be admitted to the bar in 

open court by appearing personally with a sponsor who is a member 

of the bar of this court and who states the applicant’s qualifications 

and moves the admission. Motions for admission to the bar will be 

entertained at the opening of each session of court. 

(2) Written Motion by Member of the Court’s Bar. An attorney may 

be admitted on written motion of a member of the bar of the court 

who attests to the applicant’s qualifications. 

(3) Written Motion by Attorney. An attorney may be admitted on 

that attorney’s own motion, accompanied by a certificate of good 

standing from a court listed in Federal Circuit Rule 46(a). The 

certificate must be dated within thirty (30) days of the motion for 

admission and must bear the seal of the issuing court. A written 

motion for admission must be submitted on a form approved by this 

court. The clerk of court will furnish the form. 

(4) Oath. Each attorney admitted to the bar of this court must take an 

oath prescribed by the court. 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 46 

(c) Application, Submission, and Payment. 

An attorney seeking admission to the bar of this court must electronically 

submit an application for admission in accordance with the court’s 

Electronic Filing Procedures. After admission, the applicant will receive a 

certificate of admission in the mail. The fees for admission to the bar and a 

duplicate certificate are set by the court and are posted in accordance with 

Federal Circuit Rule 52(a). 

(d) Government Attorney. 

An attorney for any federal, state, or local government office or agency may 

appear before this court in connection with that attorney’s official duties 

without formal admission to the bar of the court. 

(e) Change of Name or Contact Information. 

An attorney admitted to the bar of this court must promptly update 

electronic filing account information to reflect any change of name or 

change in contact information. 

(f) Disciplinary Action. 

Disciplinary action against an attorney will be conducted in accordance 

with the Federal Circuit Attorney Discipline Rules. 

Practice Notes to Rule 46 

FORM FOR WRITTEN MOTION FOR ADMISSION. 

Using Federal Circuit Form 21 satisfies the requirements for a written motion for 

admission under Federal Circuit Rule 46(b)(2) and (3). 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 47 

Adoption of Local Rules 

(a) Regular Amendments. 

(1) The court has adopted several local rules pursuant to Federal Rule of 

Appellate Procedure 47. 

(2) On its own motion or on the proposal of either the court’s Advisory 

Council or any person, the court may propose amendments to these 

rules by giving public notice and the opportunity for public comment 

on any proposed amendments for a period of at least thirty (30) days. 

Following the period of public notice, the court may adopt, amend 

and adopt, or take no action on the proposed amendments and give 

public notice of its action. 

(3) In the event the court adopts final amendments to these rules, the 

clerk of court will give public notice of the effective date of any 

amendments. Unless otherwise ordered, any amendments will apply 

to all cases pending on or after the effective date of the amendments 

to the extent practicable. 

(b) Emergency Amendments. 

If the court determines that there is an immediate need for a new rule or a 

rule amendment based on the urgency of the matter involved, the court 

may provide that an amendment take immediate effect, with a period of 

public notice and opportunity for public comment to follow. See 28 U.S.C. 

§ 2071(e). 

(c) Internal Operating Procedures and Other Matters. 

The court may adopt or amend internal operating procedures, standing or 

administrative orders, court forms, and other matters as necessary to 

implement these rules or otherwise provide for practice before this court. 

To the extent practicable, the court will provide public notice in advance of 

any effective date. 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 47.2 

Panels 

(a) Panels. 

When not heard en banc, cases and controversies will be heard and 

determined by a panel consisting of an odd number of at least three judges. 

A panel generally will include no more than one senior judge. See 28 U.S.C. 

§ 46(c).

(b) Assignment of Cases. 

Assignment of cases to panels will be made so as to provide each judge with 

a representative cross-section of the fields of law within the jurisdiction of 

the court. See 28 U.S.C. § 46(b). 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 47.3 

Representation and Appearance 

(a) Representation Requirements. 

A corporation, partnership, organization, or other legal entity must be 

represented by counsel before this court. An individual person may choose 

to be represented by counsel or to proceed without counsel, but may not be 

represented by a non-member of the bar of this court. 

(b) Appearance. 

(1) Counsel. Counsel retained prior to docketing must file an entry of 

appearance within (14) days after the court dockets the case, and one 

counsel must be designated as the “principal counsel.” Counsel 

retained after initial docketing must file an entry of appearance 

within fourteen (14) days after being retained or admitted to the 

court’s bar, whichever is later. All counsel must file an entry of 

appearance, except for government officials, who, by reason of their 

status as supervisors or heads of offices, may be listed on filings in 

their ex officio capacity. 

(2) Counsel Not Entering Appearances. Except for government 

officials noted above, counsel who have not filed an entry of 

appearance will neither be listed on the case docket nor on any 

decision in the case. 

(3) Intervenor and Amicus Curiae. Counsel for each intervenor, 

amicus curiae, or movant must file an entry of appearance 

contemporaneously with the first document filed by that intervenor, 

amicus curiae, or movant. 

(4) Appearance Before Merits Panel. Counsel seeking to appear for 

the first time after the case is assigned to a merits panel must file a 

motion for leave of court to appear. Only counsel who have filed 

entries of appearance may present oral argument. 

(5) Unrepresented Parties. Each unrepresented party must submit a 

notice of unrepresented person appearance within fourteen (14) days 

after the case is docketed or fourteen (14) days after the last 

remaining counsel for the party has withdrawn. 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 47.3 

(6) Form and Contents. An entry of appearance or notice of 

unrepresented person appearance must be prepared on the form 

supplied by the clerk of court, and all information requested on the 

form must be provided. At the time of filing an entry of appearance, 

any counsel listed on that form may file and sign the form on behalf 

of all listed counsel. 

(c) Substitution or Withdrawal of Counsel. 

Principal counsel may not withdraw from representing a party without 

notice to the party and leave of the court. Government attorneys and nonprincipal counsel for other parties may withdraw by filing a notice with the 

clerk of court. To substitute principal counsel, the current principal counsel 

and new principal counsel must each file amended entries of appearance 

noting the changes in representation. 

Practice Notes to Rule 47.3 

 APPEARANCE FORM. 

Using Federal Circuit Form 8A satisfies the entry of appearance requirements 

under Federal Circuit Rule 47.3(b)(1) for counsel. Using Federal Circuit Form 8B

satisfies the notice requirements under Federal Circuit Rule 47.3(b)(5) for 

unrepresented parties. 

COUNSEL ON APPEAL. 

For information on the service of documents on a party before counsel has entered 

an appearance, refer to Federal Circuit Rule 25(e)(5). New counsel on appeal 

should provide a copy of the entry of appearance form filed in this court to the 

lower court or agency to expedite service of the certified list and other 

communications. 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 47.4 

Certificate of Interest 

(a) Purpose; Contents. 

A certificate of interest is required to determine whether recusal by a judge 

is necessary or appropriate. The certificate must contain the information 

below in the order listed. For purposes of subsections (1)-(4) below, “entity” 

refers to any party, intervenor, amicus curiae, or movant represented in the 

case by the counsel filing the certificate of interest. Negative responses, if 

applicable, are required as to each item. 

(1) The full name of every entity represented in the case by the counsel 

filing the certificate. 

(2) For each entity, the name of every real party in interest, if that 

entity is not the real party in interest. 

(3) For each entity, that entity’s parent corporation(s) and every publicly 

held corporation that owns ten percent (10%) or more of its stock. 

This satisfies the disclosure statement requirement of Federal Rule 

of Appellate Procedure 26.1(a). 

(4) The names of all law firms, partners, and associates that have not 

entered an appearance in the appeal, and 

(A) appeared for the entity in the lower tribunal; or 

(B) are expected to appear for the entity in this court. 

(5) Other than the originating case number(s), the title and number of 

any case known to counsel to be pending in this or any other court or 

agency that will directly affect or be directly affected by this court’s 

decision in the pending appeal. 

(6) All information required by Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 

26.1(b) and (c) that identifies organizational victims in criminal 

cases and debtors and trustees in bankruptcy cases. 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 47.4 

(b) Filing. 

Each party, intervenor, amicus curiae, or movant must file a certificate of 

interest. The certificate must be filed contemporaneously with the firstfiled entry of appearance. However, the United States, or its officers or 

agencies, and unrepresented individuals are exempt from filing a certificate 

of interest unless disclosing information under Federal Circuit Rule 

47.4(a)(6) in compliance with Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 26.1(b). 

The certificate must also be included with each motion, petition, or related 

response, and in each principal brief and brief amicus curiae. 

(c) Changes. 

If any of the information required by Federal Circuit Rule 47.4(a) changes 

after the certificate is first filed and before the mandate has issued, an 

amended certificate must be filed within seven (7) days after the change.

Practice Note to Rule 47.4 

CERTIFICATE OF INTEREST. 

Using Federal Circuit Form 9 satisfies the certificate of interest requirements 

under Federal Circuit Rule 47.4(a). 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 47.5 

Statement of Related Cases 

Each principal brief and certificate of interest must contain a statement of 

related cases indicating the following: 

(a) whether any other appeal in or from the same civil action or 

proceeding in the lower court or body was previously before this or 

any other appellate court, stating the following: 

(1) the title and number of that earlier appeal; 

(2) the date of decision; 

(3) the composition of the panel; and 

(4) the citation of the opinion in the Federal Reporter; 

(b) the title and number of any case known to counsel to be pending in 

this or any other court or agency that will directly affect or be 

directly affected by this court’s decision in the pending appeal. 

Practice Note to Rule 47.5 

CASES THAT ONLY INVOLVE SAME GENERAL LEGAL ISSUE. 

Cases are not “related” within the meaning of Federal Circuit Rule 47.4(a)(5) and 

47.5(b) simply because they involve the same general legal issue, for example, an 

issue as to the correct construction of a statute or regulation. 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 47.7 

Attorney Fees and Expenses Incurred in This Court 

(a) Time for Filing; Response. 

(1) Generally. The court may award attorney fees and expenses when 

authorized by law. An award may be made by the court on its own 

motion or on application of a party. 

(2) Time for Filing. An application for an award of attorney fees and 

expenses must be served and filed within the time prescribed by the 

statute authorizing the award. If the statute does not prescribe a 

time, the application must be made within thirty (30) days after 

entry of the judgment or order denying rehearing, whichever is later. 

However, if a petition for writ of certiorari is filed, the application 

will not be due until thirty (30) days after all proceedings in the 

Supreme Court are concluded. 

(3) Response. No response may be filed to an application for attorney 

fees and expenses unless directed by the court, but no application 

will be granted without the court giving the party an opportunity to 

submit a response. 

(4) Award on the Court’s Motion. A party awarded attorney fees and 

expenses by the court on its own motion must file and serve a bill of 

attorney fees and expenses containing the information required in 

Federal Circuit Rule 47.7(b)(2)(A)-(C) with the bill of costs 

authorized by Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 39(d). Any 

objection must be filed within the time prescribed in Federal Rule of 

Appellate Procedure 39(d). 

(b) Contents of Application. 

(1) Application under the Equal Access to Justice Act. An 

application for attorney fees and expenses under the Equal Access to 

Justice Act must be made on the form prescribed by this court. 

(2) Other Applications. All other applications for attorney fees and 

expenses must cite the authority for an award and must indicate 

how the prerequisites for an award, including timeliness, are met. In 

addition, all other applications must contain a statement, under 

oath, specifying the following: 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 47.7 

(A) the nature of each service rendered; 

(B) the amount of time expended rendering each type of service; 

and 

(C) the customary charge for each type of service rendered. 

Practice Note to Rule 47.7 

EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE ACT APPLICATION FORM. 

Using Federal Circuit Form 20 satisfies the requirements under Federal Circuit 

Rule 47.7(b)(1) for an application for attorney fees under the Equal Access to 

Justice Act. 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 47.9 

Petition for Judicial Review Under 5 U.S.C. § 7703(d) 

(a) Time for Filing. 

A petition for review of a final order or decision of the Merit Systems 

Protection Board or of an arbitrator pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 7703(d) must be 

filed by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management within sixty 

(60) days after the date the Board or arbitrator issues notice of the final 

order or decision of the Board or arbitrator. 

(b) Contents. 

The Director’s petition must contain the following: 

(1) a statement of jurisdiction under Federal Rule of Appellate 

Procedure 28(a)(4); 

(2) the Director’s determination that the Board or arbitrator erred in 

interpreting a civil service law, rule, or regulation affecting 

personnel management and the reasons supporting the 

determination; 

(3) the Director’s determination that the decision or order of the Board 

or arbitrator will have a substantial impact on a civil service law, 

rule, regulation, or policy directive, and the reasons supporting the 

determination; and 

(4) an appendix including a copy of the order or decision for which 

review is sought and any relevant portion of the record on review; 

the appendix may also include documents not part of the record on 

review that are relevant to the determination that the decision will 

have substantial impact. 

(c) Length of Petition, Response and Reply; Separate Brief. 

A petition or response must not exceed 5,200 words if produced 

electronically or twenty (20) pages otherwise. A reply must not exceed 

2,600 words if produced electronically or ten (10) pages otherwise. A 

separate brief supporting a petition, response, or reply is not permitted. 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 47.9 

(d) Service and Filing. 

The Director must electronically file the petition with the clerk of court and 

must serve a copy of the petition on the named respondents, all other 

parties before the Board or arbitrator, and the Board or arbitrator. 

(e) Notice of Docketing. 

On receipt, the clerk of court will enter the petition on the docket as a 

miscellaneous case and notify the Director, the named respondents, all 

other parties before the Board or arbitrator, and the Board or arbitrator of 

the docketing date. 

(f) Appearance by Others. 

The Board or arbitrator and any other party to the proceeding desiring to 

participate in the proceeding in this court must enter an appearance or file 

a notice if unrepresented. Anyone appearing will be deemed a respondent. 

(g) Response; Appendix; Reply. 

Within twenty-one (21) days after service of a petition, any respondent may 

file a response. The response may include an appendix containing any 

relevant portion of the record on review not included in the appendix to the 

petition; the appendix may also include documents or affidavits not part of 

the record on review that are relevant to the determination that the 

decision will have substantial impact. Within fourteen (14) days after 

service of a response, the Director may file a reply. 

(h) Action by the Court. 

Granting a petition for review is at the discretion of the court. On receipt of 

an order granting review, the clerk of court must enter the petition for 

review on the general docket. The petition for review will then proceed as if 

filed under Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 15. 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 47.10 

Dismissal of a Bankruptcy Stay Case 

An appeal stayed in accordance with the bankruptcy stay provisions of 11 

U.S.C. § 362 may be dismissed by the clerk of court without prejudice to the 

appellant reinstating the appeal within thirty (30) days after the stay is 

lifted or the bankruptcy proceeding ends. 

FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 47.12 

[Reserved] 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 50 

Employee and Former Employee 

(a) Restrictions on Practice. 

No employee of the court may engage in the practice of law. No former 

employee of the court may participate or assist, by representation, 

consultation, or otherwise, in any case that was pending in the court during 

the period of employment. 

(b) Requirements of Counsel. 

All counsel appearing in cases before the court are required to take 

reasonable steps to ensure compliance with this rule. See In re Violation of 

Rule 50, 712 F. App’x 1005 (Fed. Cir. 2018). 

(c) Employee Defined. 

For purposes of this rule, a person serving at the court as an intern, 

whether in a judge’s chambers or otherwise, is considered an employee of 

the court, whether such service is for pay, for law school credit, or 

voluntary. 
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Practice Note to Rule 50 

ALL FUTURE PARTICIPATION AND ASSISTANCE PROHIBITED. 

A former employee of the court is prohibited from participating or assisting in any 

case after employment with the court if the case was before this court at any point 

during the person’s employment. Thus, for example, a former employee is 

prohibited from participating or assisting in a case in a trial forum, agency, or 

other forum if the case was before this court during the person’s employment and 

was remanded by this court or otherwise continued in the trial forum, agency, or 

other forum for any other reason. A former employee is also prohibited, for 

example, from participating or assisting in the case if it is subsequently before 

this court again or if it is before the Supreme Court of the United States. In 

addition to Federal Circuit Rule 50, former employees should also consult any 

applicable local bar rules and Canon 3(d) of the Code of Conduct for Judicial 

Employees. 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 52 

Fees 

(a) Schedule of Fees. 

(1) General. The fees charged by the clerk of court must be the fees 

prescribed by the Judicial Conference of the United States pursuant 

to 28 U.S.C. § 1913 or adopted by the court. No fees under this 

schedule may be charged to federal agencies or programs funded 

from judiciary appropriations, including, but not limited to, agencies, 

organizations, and individuals providing services authorized by the 

Criminal Justice Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3006A, and Bankruptcy 

Administrator programs. The schedule of fees will be posted on the 

court’s website and in a public area of the courthouse. 

(2) Docketing Fee. The docketing fee will be paid to the trial court 

clerk of court on filing a notice of appeal in that court. The docketing 

fee will be paid to this court’s clerk of court on filing any other 

proceeding. 

(3) Electronic Public Access Fee Schedule. The fees for electronic 

public access are authorized by 28 U.S.C. § 1913 and promulgated in 

the Judicial Conference Electronic Public Access Fee Schedule. 

(b) Copies of Opinions. 

All public court opinions are available on the court’s website or PACER 

without charge. Printed copies of court orders and opinions are subject to 

the Electronic Public Access Fee Schedule. 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 52 

(c) Fees to Be Paid in Advance. 

Each notice of appeal, petition for review, application or cross-application 

for enforcement, petition for an extraordinary writ, and petition for 

permission to appeal filed electronically as a case-initiating document with 

this court must be accompanied by the docketing fee, or a motion for leave 

to proceed in forma pauperis or other waiver, as described in the court’s 

Electronic Filing Procedures. The clerk of court may defer taking any 

additional action on these documents after initial docketing until any fee 

due is paid or the court or clerk of court grants a fee waiver. The clerk of 

court may also defer action on all other services requiring payment under 

the Schedule of Fees until payment is received. 

(d) Dismissal for Failing to Pay Docketing Fee. 

If a proceeding is docketed without prepayment of the docketing fee, the 

appellant or petitioner must pay the fee within fourteen (14) days after 

docketing, unless ordered otherwise. If the clerk of court does not receive 

the docketing fee, a completed motion for leave to proceed in forma 

pauperis, or a completed USERRA notice within the allotted timeframe, the 

clerk of court is authorized to dismiss the proceeding. 

(e) Fee Payment. 

Electronic filers must pay all fee electronically as provided in the court’s 

Electronic Filing Procedures. Paper filers must pay all fees in U.S. dollars 

in the manner set by the clerk of court based on applicable regulations of 

the Judicial Conference of the United States and United States 

Department of the Treasury. Checks must be made payable to the Clerk of 

Court, United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

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Practice Notes to Rule 52 

NO REFUND OF FEES. 

Fees are deposited with the Treasury Department on receipt. The clerk of court 

cannot refund any fee once it is deposited, except the clerk of court may refund (1) 

any fee paid in excess of the fee established by the court’s Schedule of Fees or this 

court and (2) any duplicate fee for the same transaction. 

METHODS OF PAYMENT. 

The clerk of court accepts only exact amounts in U.S. dollars and cannot provide 

change. For payment by personal check or direct debit (ACH), credit for payment 

will be given only after the check has been accepted by the issuing financial 

institution. Checks returned for insufficient funds are subject to collection, 

including an additional fee for insufficient funds as set by the court’s Schedule of 

Fees. The clerk of court will not accept credit or debit card payments over the 

phone. 

DOCKETING FEE AND COSTS IN A CASE INVOLVING A CLAIM 

UNDER THE UNIFORMED SERVICES EMPLOYMENT AND 

REEMPLOYMENT RIGHTS ACT OF 1994. 

In a petition for review of a Merits Systems Protection Board decision, a 

petitioner is not required to pay the docketing fee if the case involved a claim 

under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 

1994 (USERRA). 38 U.S.C. §§ 4323, 4324. A petitioner claiming exemption from 

the fee pursuant to USERRA should submit Federal Circuit Form 6B within 

fourteen (14) days after the date of docketing of the petition and may be required 

to submit documentation that the case before the Board involved a USERRA 

claim. 
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FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULE 54 

Library 

(a) General. 

The library in the Howard T. Markey National Courts Building serves this 

court and the United States Court of Federal Claims. 

(b) Authorized Users. 

The library’s authorized users are limited to the following: 

(1) the judges of the courts; 

(2) staff of either court; 

(3) members of the bars of either court; 

(4) unrepresented parties with pending cases in either court; 

(5) attorneys employed by the United States; and 

(6) employees of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts 

and the Federal Judicial Center. 

(c) Suspension; Closing. 

The librarian may suspend an authorized user for cause and may, when 

warranted, close the library to all except judges and the court staff. 

(d) Books: Check Out and Removal. 

Only judges and the court staff may check out books from the library. 

Library books must not be removed from the premises of the Howard T. 

Markey National Courts Building without express permission from the 

librarian. 
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Federal Circuit Attorney Discipline Rules 

Introduction 

The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, in furtherance of its 

power and responsibility under Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 46 and its 

inherent power and responsibility to supervise the conduct of attorneys who are 

members of its bar, promulgates the following Attorney Discipline Rules. 

The rules contemplate that a disciplinary proceeding stemming from most 

misconduct that occurs before a merits or motions panel will be conducted by that 

panel. A proceeding stemming from more serious misconduct, based on conviction of 

a serious crime, or imposing reciprocal discipline will be conducted by a Standing 

Panel on Attorney Discipline composed of three judges. In conformance with 

Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 46, a hearing, if requested, will be available in 

any proceeding. The record in an ongoing proceeding will be confidential unless 

otherwise ordered. At the conclusion of a proceeding in which discipline is imposed, 

the final order and the record will be made a public record. A final order issued by a 

panel will be reviewable in a manner analogous to review under Federal Rules of 

Appellate Procedure 35 and 40. 

Rule 1. Definitions 

(a) Another Court. Another court means any Court of the United States or any 

court of a state, the District of Columbia, a territory, or a commonwealth of 

the United States. For purposes of these rules, another court also includes 

the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims and the United 

States Court of Federal Claims. 

(b) Agency. Agency means any agency of the United States as defined in 5 

U.S.C. § 551. 

(c) Serious Crime. Serious crime means (1) any felony or (2) any lesser crime a 

necessary element of which, as determined by statutory or common law 

definition of such crime in the jurisdiction where the conviction occurred, is 

(i) interference with the administration of justice, (ii) false swearing, (iii) 

misrepresentation, (iv) fraud, (v) willful failure to file an income tax return, 

(vi) deceit, (vii) bribery, (viii) extortion, (ix) misappropriation, (x) theft, or (xi) 

an attempt or conspiracy or solicitation of another to commit a serious crime. 

Rule 2. Grounds for Discipline 

(a) Conviction. Conviction in another court of a serious crime may be the basis 

for discipline. 

(b) Disbarment or Suspension. Reciprocal discipline may be imposed based on 

disbarment or suspension by another court or by an agency. 
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(c) Resignation. Disbarment may be imposed based on an attorney’s 

disbarment on consent or resignation from the bar of another court or an 

agency while an investigation into an allegation of misconduct is pending. 

(d) Act or Omission. An act or omission by an attorney who violates the 

Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, the Federal Circuit Rules, these rules, 

or orders or instructions of the court, other than an act or omission 

contemplated by Rule 3(d) of these rules, may be the basis for discipline. A 

failure to notify the court in compliance with Rule 6(a) may itself be the basis 

for discipline. 

(e) Conduct Unbecoming. Any conduct before the court unbecoming a member 

of the bar may be the basis for discipline. 

Rule 3. Types of Discipline 

(a) Discipline for Misconduct. Discipline for attorney misconduct may consist 

of disbarment, suspension for a definite period, monetary sanction, public 

reprimand, private reprimand, or any other disciplinary action that the court 

deems appropriate. 

(b) Disbarment. Disbarment is the presumed discipline for conviction of a 

serious crime. 

(c) Reciprocal Discipline. The imposition of reciprocal disbarment or 

suspension is the presumed discipline based on the disbarment or suspension 

of an attorney by another court or an agency. Disbarment based on an 

attorney’s disbarment on consent or resignation from a bar of another court 

or an agency while an investigation into an allegation of misconduct is 

pending constitutes reciprocal discipline. 

(d) Sanctions Under Other Provisions. Assessment of damages, costs, 

expenses, or attorney fees under Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 38, 28 

U.S.C. § 1927, or similar statutory provision are not disciplinary sanctions 

within the meaning of these rules and are not governed by these rules. 

Rule 4. Disciplinary Matters Referred to the Court 

(a) Docketing. The clerk of court will maintain a miscellaneous attorney 

disciplinary matter docket and will assign a number to each matter. 

(b) Merits or Motions Panel. When attorney misconduct under these rules 

occurs within the context of a case before a merits panel or a motions panel, 

that panel may impose any discipline except disbarment, suspension, or a 

monetary sanction over $1,000. The proceeding is conducted in accordance 

with Rule 5. In lieu of conducting its own proceeding a majority of the panel 

may refer the matter to the Standing Panel on Attorney Discipline. 
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(c) Standing Panel on Attorney Discipline. 

(1) The Standing Panel must conduct proceedings in any matter in which 

disbarment, suspension, or a monetary sanction over $1000 may be 

considered, or in any matter referred by a merits or motions panel. 

(2) The Standing Panel will consist of three judges, at least two of whom 

must be judges in regular active service, appointed by the Chief Judge. 

The Chief Judge may serve as a member of the Standing Panel. The 

initial appointments will be for one-, two-, and three-year terms, so that 

the members’ terms are staggered. Thereafter, a member will be 

appointed for a three-year term. A member who has served on the 

Standing Panel for three years is not eligible for appointment to another 

term until three years after termination of his or her last appointment. 

(3) The chairperson of the Standing Panel shall be the senior judge in regular 

active service. 

(4) If a member of the Standing Panel is unable or unavailable to hear a 

particular matter, the Chief Judge will appoint another judge to be a 

member of the Standing Panel for that matter. If a member of the 

Standing Panel is unable to complete the remainder of his or her term for 

any reason, e.g., retirement, incapacity, death, the Chief Judge will 

appoint another judge to serve the remainder of the term. 

Rule 5. Merits/Motions Panel or Standing Panel Procedure 

(a) Representation. An attorney may be represented by counsel in any 

disciplinary proceeding. Counsel must enter an appearance promptly, and in 

any event prior to submitting any documents or at least fourteen (14) days 

before appearing at a hearing, whichever is earlier. Except as provided by 

Federal Circuit Rule 46(d), counsel must be a member of the bar of this court. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT RULES OF PRACTICE APRIL 2020 

138 

(b) Show Cause Order. Any panel may issue an order describing an attorney’s 

misconduct and ordering the attorney to show cause (1) why a specific 

discipline should not be imposed or (2) why a discipline to be determined 

later should not be imposed. Unless otherwise ordered, a response is due 

within thirty (30) days. Any request for a hearing must be included in a 

response. 

(c) Uncontested Matter. If an attorney does not respond to a show cause order 

or does not object to the imposition of a specified discipline, the clerk of court 

may then issue a final order imposing such discipline. 

(d) Contested Matter. If an attorney contests the imposition of discipline or 

requests a hearing, further proceedings must be conducted in accordance 

with Rule 8. 

(e) Referral to State Bar Association or Other Disciplinary Entity. The 

Standing Panel or any merits or motions panel may in its discretion refer a 

pending disciplinary matter or a matter that has been concluded to an 

appropriate state bar association or other disciplinary entity. 

(f) Final Order. At the conclusion of a proceeding, a panel will issue a final 

order in the matter. The order may direct the attorney or the clerk of court to 

send a copy of the order to all other courts and agencies before which an 

attorney is admitted. The clerk of court may also be directed to notify the 

American Bar Association’s National Lawyer Regulatory Data Bank of the 

discipline. 

(g) Review by the Panel or the Judges of the Court. An attorney may file a 

petition for rehearing by the panel or a combined petition for rehearing by 

the panel and suggestion for rehearing by the judges of the court in regular 

active service, or a majority of the judges in regular active service may order 

that a disciplinary matter be heard or reheard by them. Such a hearing or 

rehearing is not favored and ordinarily will not be ordered except when 

necessary to secure or maintain uniformity of the court’s decisions or when 

the proceeding involves a question of exceptional importance. Any such 

petition must be filed within thirty (30) days after the date of the panel’s final 

order. The procedures governing a petition for rehearing or a combined 

petition/suggestion will otherwise be in accordance with the provisions of 

Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure 35 and 40 and Federal Circuit Rules 35

and 40. 
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Rule 6. Conviction or Discipline Imposed by Another Court or an Agency 

(a) Duty of Attorney to Notify. An attorney who is a member of the bar of this 

court must notify the clerk of court in writing within fourteen (14) days after 

the member’s (1) conviction of a serious crime, (2) disbarment or suspension 

by another court or by an agency, or (3) disbarment on consent or resignation 

from the bar of another court or an agency while an investigation into an 

allegation of misconduct is pending. Upon receipt of such information, the 

clerk of court must follow the procedures set forth in Rule 7. 

(b) Notification from Another Court or Agency; Sua Sponte. Upon receipt 

of a copy of a judgment, order, or other document demonstrating that a 

member of the bar of this court has been disbarred or suspended from the 

practice of law by another court or an agency, or has resigned while an 

investigation into an allegation of misconduct is pending, the clerk of court 

must follow the procedures set forth in Rule 7. 

Rule 7. Proceedings for Reciprocal Discipline or Conviction of Serious 

Crime 

(a) Show Cause Order. On notification of an attorney’s disbarment or 

suspension by another court or agency, the clerk of court must issue a show 

cause order why the court should not impose the identical discipline. On 

notification of an attorney’s conviction of a serious crime or resignation from 

the bar of another court or agency while a misconduct investigation is 

pending, the clerk of court must issue a show cause order why disbarment 

should not be imposed. 

(b) Response. Unless otherwise ordered, a response to a show cause order is due 

within thirty (30) days to the clerk of court and should indicate the docket 

number of the matter. Any request for a hearing must be included in a 

response. In any response, the attorney must (1) list all bars to which the 

attorney is admitted, including all bar numbers and other bar identification 

information and (2) list all cases pending before this court in which the 

attorney is involved. 

(c) Uncontested Matter. If an attorney does not object to the imposition of 

reciprocal discipline or does not respond to the show cause order, the clerk of 

court may then issue a final order imposing such reciprocal discipline. 

(d) Contested Matter. If an attorney contests the imposition of reciprocal 

discipline, further proceedings will be conducted in accordance with Rule 8. 

(e) Final Order and Further Review. At the conclusion of a proceeding, the 

Standing Panel will issue a final order in the matter. Any further review will 

be in accordance with Rule 5(g). 
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Rule 8. Contested Proceedings 

(a) No Request for a Hearing. If an attorney does not request a hearing in 

response to a show cause order, then the panel will prepare the record 

consisting of the show cause order, the response, and any other documents 

obtained by the panel. If the record includes documents in addition to the 

show cause order and the response, then an attorney will be given notice that 

he or she may inspect and copy the record at his or her expense and may file 

a supplemental response. Information will be withheld from an attorney only 

in extraordinary circumstances, e.g., for national security or criminal 

investigation reasons. Any supplemental response is due within fourteen (14) 

days after the date of the notice concerning inspection and copying. 

(b) Request for Hearing. On request by an attorney, except in cases of 

reciprocal discipline under Rule 2(b) or resignation under Rule 2(c) where the 

conducting of a hearing is at the discretion of the panel, the panel will 

schedule a hearing. A hearing scheduled by a merits or motions panel will be 

an oral hearing. If a merits or motions panel determines that an evidentiary 

hearing is necessary, that panel will refer the matter to the Standing Panel. 

In matters that have not been referred by a merits or motions panel, the 

Standing Panel shall determine whether a hearing is oral or evidentiary. An 

attorney must be given at least thirty (30) days’ notice of the time, date, and 

place of a hearing. 

(1) The record consists of the show cause order, the response, and any other 

documents obtained by the panel. If the record includes documents in 

addition to the show cause order and the response, then an attorney will 

be given notice that he or she may inspect and copy the record at his or 

her expense. Information will be withheld from an attorney only in 

extraordinary circumstances, e.g., for national security or criminal 

investigation reasons. 

(2) The Standing Panel may compel by subpoena the attendance of witnesses, 

including the attorney subject to the proceeding, and the production of 

documents. 

(3) During an evidentiary hearing, an attorney will be afforded an 

opportunity to cross-examine any witnesses called by the Standing Panel 

and to introduce evidence in defense or mitigation. 

(4) A hearing will be recorded on tape unless an attorney arranges to have a 

reporting service present at his or her own expense. 

(c) Reciprocal Disciplinary Matter. Notification that an attorney has been 

disbarred or suspended by another court or agency establishes that the 

conduct in fact occurred and that the discipline was appropriate unless an 

attorney shows the following: 
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141 

(1) the procedure was so lacking in notice or opportunity to be heard that it 

constituted a deprivation of due process; or 

(2) there was such an infirmity of proof establishing the misconduct that it 

gave rise to the clear conviction that this court could not, consistent with 

its duty, accept as final the conclusion on the matter; or 

(3) the imposition of the same discipline by this court would result in grave 

injustice; or 

(4) the misconduct established is deemed by this court to warrant 

substantially different discipline. 

(d) Conviction of a Serious Crime. Notification of a conviction of a serious 

crime is conclusive evidence of the commission of that crime for purposes of 

these disciplinary proceedings. If an attorney notifies the court that a 

conviction has been vacated or reversed, the Standing Panel will promptly 

review the matter. 

Rule 9. Reinstatement 

(a) After Reciprocal Disbarment or Suspension. If disbarment by this court 

was based on a disbarment by another court or agency or a suspension was 

directed to run concurrently with a suspension ordered by another court or 

agency, then an attorney is eligible for reinstatement when the original 

discipline is lifted or expires. An attorney must submit an affidavit notifying 

this court of the action of the court that imposed the original discipline. The 

clerk of court will refer an attorney’s notification affidavit to the Standing 

Panel. Unless otherwise ordered, the clerk of court will issue an order 

reinstating the attorney within fourteen (14) days after reference to the 

Standing Panel. 

(b) After Disbarment. An attorney who has been disbarred as a result of 

misconduct before this court may not apply for reinstatement until the 

expiration of five (5) years from the effective date of the disbarment. 

(c) After Suspension. 

(1) An attorney who has been suspended with automatic reinstatement as a 

result of misconduct before this court may file an affidavit of compliance 

with the suspension order after the suspension period has expired. The 

clerk of court will issue an order reinstating the attorney within fourteen 

(14) days. 

(2) An attorney who has been suspended conditioned on applying for 

reinstatement as a result of misconduct before this court may file an 

application after the suspension period expires. 
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(d) Application for Reinstatement. The clerk of court will refer an application 

for reinstatement to the Standing Panel. Any request for a hearing must be 

included in an application. 

(1) The Standing Panel may issue an order granting an application or, if no 

hearing is requested, may issue an order denying an application. 

(2) If the Standing Panel is not satisfied initially that reinstatement is 

appropriate and a hearing is requested, the Standing Panel will schedule 

a hearing. The Standing Panel will decide whether a hearing will be oral 

or evidentiary. At a hearing the applicant has the burden of showing that 

he or she has the moral qualifications, competency, and learning in the 

law required for readmission and that the resumption of practice will not 

be detrimental to the integrity and standing of the bar or to the 

administration of justice. 

(3) At the conclusion of a proceeding, the Standing Panel will issue a final 

order. Further review will be in accordance with Rule 5(g). 

(e) Successive Application. A successive application for reinstatement may 

not be filed until one (1) year has elapsed after an adverse decision on an 

earlier application. 

Rule 10. Access to Information 

(a) Confidentiality During Proceedings. An ongoing disciplinary proceeding 

are confidential (1) unless the attorney subject to the proceeding requests 

that it be made a public record or (2) except to the extent that a panel may 

disclose the subject matter and status of a proceeding if the proceeding is 

based on a conviction of a serious crime, or an allegation that has become 

generally known to the public, or there is a need to notify another person or 

entity to protect the public, the legal profession, or the administration of 

justice. 

(b) Confidentiality Upon Issuance of a Final Order. A final order issuing a 

private reprimand or imposing no discipline and the record of those 

proceedings are confidential unless the attorney subject to the proceeding 

requests that it be made a public record. If other discipline is imposed, a final 

order and the record will be made a public record at the time of issuance of a 

final order. However, a panel may issue a permanent protective order 

prohibiting the disclosure of any part of the record to protect the interest of a 

complainant, a witness, a third party or nonparty, or the attorney. 

Rule 11. Effective Date 

These rules are effective July 1, 2020.