Where can I find information about electronic filing and the Appellate Electronic Case Files (“ECF”) system?
All information about electronic filing and Appellate ECF is available at http://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/cmecf/
A list of frequently asked questions (“FAQs”) concerning Appellate ECF is available at http://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/cmecf/faqs
What color should I use for the cover of my brief?
| Opening Brief by appellant and petitioner: | Blue | |
| Answering Brief by appellee and respondent: | Red | |
| Reply Brief: | Gray | |
| Brief by amicus and intervenor: | Green | |
| Second Brief on Cross-appeal: | Red | |
| Third Brief on Cross-appeal: | Yellow | |
| Supplemental Brief: | Tan |
What are the page or word limitations for my brief?
The length of a principal brief may not exceed 30 pages unless it complies with Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 32 (a)(5), (a)(7)(B) and (a)(7)(C) which limits the principal brief to 14,000 words of 14-point type or, if using a monospace type face (such as Courier), not more than 1,300 lines of text.
Reply briefs may not exceed 15 pages, or alternatively may not contain more than half of the type volume specified above.
What belongs in the Excerpts of Record and what color is the cover?
Please read 9th Circuit Rule 30-1 for an explanation of the contents of the Excerpts of Record. Excerpts have white covers.
Unrepresented litigants are not required to file Excerpts of Record.
Petitioners challenging an order of the Board of Immigration Appeals are exempted from the Excerpts requirement but must include an addendum (the decision by the immigration judge or Board of Immigration Appeals) which should be bound with the brief pursuant to 9th Circuit Rule 28-2.7.
Note that, as of March 1, 2013, Excerpts of Record must be submitted electronically. See www.ca9.uscourts.gov/excerpts
If I filed a document electronically, how many paper copies should I send to the Court?
Briefs: 7 copies, but send paper copies to the Court only after you receive an order requesting them.
Excerpts: 4 copies, but send paper copies to the Court only after you receive an order requesting them.
Everything else: None, unless the Court orders you to submit paper copies.
If I am filing a document by paper and not electronically via the Appellate ECF system, how many paper copies should I send to the Court?
Briefs: Original + 7 copies of the brief
Excerpts of Record: 4 copies
Everything else: Only the original paper document
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