Length Matters: New Default Length Limits Under the FRAP

Practical Law Article w-004-3400 (Approx. 6 pages)

Length Matters: New Default Length Limits Under the FRAP

by Practical Law Litigation

Effective Date

The new default length limits apply to all appeals filed on or after December 1, 2016.

To determine whether the former length limits still apply to appeals filed before December 1, 2016, counsel should review any applicable local rules or consider contacting the clerk's office. The Supreme Court order amending the FRAP states that the amendments apply "insofar as just and practicable" to appeals pending before December 1, 2016.

Calculating Length

The FRAP set out length limitations calculated by either:

The number of pages.
The number of words.
The lines of text.

(For example, FRAP 32(a)(7).)

When calculating the length of a document for filing under the FRAP, counsel must include the headings, text, footnotes, and quotations. Counsel may exclude any:

Cover page.
Corporate disclosure statement.
Table of contents.
Table of authorities.
Statement regarding oral argument.
Addendum containing statutes, rules, or regulations.
Certificates of counsel.
Signature block.
Proof of service.
Other item specifically excluded by the FRAP or by local rule.

(FRAP 32(f).)

Certificate of Compliance

Counsel must include a certificate of compliance for all filings with type-volume limits, other than notices of supplemental authorities submitted under FRAP 28(j). The certificate must state either the number of:

Words in the document (including headings, footnotes, and quotations).
Lines of monospaced type in the document.

(FRAP 32(g).) The person preparing the certificate may rely on the word or line count of the word-processing system used to prepare the document. (FRAP 32(g)(1).)

Individual Court Limits

Although the FRAP establishes the default length limits for appellate filings, the individual federal courts of appeals may modify those limits (FRAP 32(e)). For information about the length limits for appellate filings in each circuit, see:

Default Length Limits for Appellate Filings

Type of Filing	Document Type	Length Limit	Rule
Permission to appeal	Petition for permission to appeal Answer in opposition Cross-petition	5,200 words (if prepared on a computer) 20 pages (if prepared by hand or on a typewriter)	FRAP 5(c)
Extraordinary writs	Petition for writ of mandamus, prohibition, or other extraordinary writ Answer	7,800 words (if prepared on a computer) 30 pages (if prepared by hand or on a typewriter)	FRAP 21(d)
Motions	Motion Motion response	5,200 words (if prepared on a computer) 20 pages (if prepared by hand or on a typewriter)	FRAP 27(d)(2)
Motions	Motion reply	2,600 words (if prepared on a computer) 10 pages (if prepared by hand or on a typewriter)	FRAP 27(d)(2)
Merits briefs	Principal brief	13,000 words 30 pages 1,300 lines of monospaced text	FRAP 32(a)(7)
Merits briefs	Reply brief	6,500 words 15 pages 650 lines of monospaced text	FRAP 32(a)(7)
Merits briefs (on cross appeal)	Appellant’s principal brief Appellant’s response and reply brief	13,000 words 30 pages 1,300 lines of monospaced text	FRAP 28.1(e)
	Appellee’s principal and response brief	15,300 words 35 pages 1,500 lines of monospaced text
	Appellee’s reply brief	6,500 words 15 pages 650 lines of monospaced text
Supplemental authorities	Notice of supplemental authorities	350 words	FRAP 28(j)
Amicus curiae briefs	Amicus brief on merits	6,500 words 15 pages 650 lines of monospaced text	FRAP 29(a)(5)
Amicus curiae briefs	Amicus brief on rehearing	2,600 words	FRAP 29(b)(4)
Rehearing and rehearing en banc	Petition for hearing en banc Petition for panel rehearing Petition for rehearing en banc	3,900 words (if prepared on a computer) 15 pages (if prepared by hand or on a typewriter)	FRAP 35(b)(2) and 40(b)

Length Matters: New Default Length Limits Under the FRAP | Practical Law