U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board

Information Sheet No. 8

e-Appeals

Purpose

The purpose of this information sheet is to provide general guidance and 

background information. It does not represent an official statement approved by 

the Board itself, and is not intended to provide legal counsel or to be cited as legal 

authority. Instead, it is intended only to help the public become familiar with the 

MSPB and its procedures. In all instances, however, the Board’s regulations and 

current case law control with respect to the matters discussed here.

What is e-Appeal?

E-Appeal is a system which allows participants in Board proceedings to file and 

receive some or all of their pleadings to the Board electronically through the 

internet.

What type of pleadings can be filed or received through e-Appeal?

Virtually every written submission that a party or representative may file can be 

sent through e-Appeal including submissions that set out claims, allegations, 

arguments, or evidence, motions, legal briefs, petitions, responses, and 

attachments. Exceptions to this rule are set forth in 5 C.F.R. § 1201.14(c): 

requests to hear a case as a class action, service of subpoenas, filing a pleading 

with the Special Panel (after a disagreement between MSPB and EEOC), filing a 

pleading that contains Sensitive Security Information or classified information, 

and filing a request to participate as an amicus curiae or filing an amicus brief.

How does e-Appeal work?

To start, a party or representative must register with the Board as an e-filer by 

following the simple instructions at the Board’s e-Appeal website (https://eappeal.mspb.gov/). After that, everything is done through the website. To file a 

document, you go to the Board’s website and upload an electronic document or 

enter the text of your pleading. The website accepts documents in all popular 

electronic formats. The e-Appeal system will then send an e-mail message to all 

parties and their representatives who are registered as e-filers, with a link to the 

Repository at e-Appeal Online, where they can view and download the documents. 

At the Repository, you will also find an electronic “Docket Sheet” listing all of the 

documents issued by the Board to the parties, as well as all pleadings filed by the 
parties, including those that are not available for viewing and downloading 

electronically. This will assure that you know what information is before the 

administrative judge when your appeal is decided.

Do I serve documents by e-mail?

No. You may not use e-mail to serve pleadings. You just go to the Board's eAppeal website to upload an electronic file or enter the text of your pleading 

online. The Board assures service of all documents on registered e-filers as 

explained in the response immediately above. The Board will not disclose an efiler’s e-mail address to the opposing party or to third parties.

If I register, must I file everything electronically?

No. Although registration as an e-filer permits you to file electronically, you may 

file any pleading by non-electronic means, which include regular mail, fax, and 

personal or commercial delivery. Regardless of the means of filing a particular 

pleading as explained immediately above, the e filer will be allowed to submit 

supporting documentation as attachments, in both electronic and paper form. You 

can also withdraw from e-filing at any time. Also, if you are represented, you and 

your representative need not both be e-filers. 

How hard is it to use e-Appeal?

E-Appeal is easy to use. If you use the Internet to make airline reservations or to 

make purchases, you will not have much trouble learning to use e-Appeal.

What if I have other questions?

Just go to the Board's e-Appeal website (https://e-appeal.mspb.gov/) for step-bystep help in getting started, a detailed FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section, 

and lots of other helpful information and links.