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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 Rule 43. Substitution of Parties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Rule 44. Case Involving a Constitutional Question When the United States or the Relevant State is Not a Party . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Rule 45. Clerk’s Duties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Rule 46. Attorneys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Rule 47. Local Rules by Courts of Appeals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Rule 47.1. Sessions and Places of Holding Court . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 Rule 47.2. Panels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 Rule 47.3. Appearance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 Rule 47.4. Certificate of Interest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Rule 47.5. Statement of Related Cases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Rule 47.6. Opinion and Order of the Court . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 Rule 47.7. Attorney Fees and Expenses Incurred in This Court . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Rule 47.8. In Camera Proceeding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 Rule 47.9. Petition for Judicial Review Under 5 U.S.C. § 7703(d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 Rule 47.10. Dismissal of a Bankruptcy Stay Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 Rule 47.11. Quorum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 Rule 47.12. Action for Judicial Review Under 38 U.S.C. § 502 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 Rule 48. Masters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Rule 49. Seal of the Court . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Rule 50. Employee and Former Employee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Rule 51. Complaint of Judicial Misconduct or Disability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Rule 52. Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 Rule 53. Judicial Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Rule 54. Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Federal Circuit Forms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Form 1. Notice of Appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit from a Judgment or Order of a United States District Court . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Form 2. Notice of Appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit from a Judgment or Order of the Court of Federal Claims. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Form 3. Notice of Appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit from a Judgment or Order of the Court of International Trade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 ix Contents Form 4. Notice of Appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit from a Judgment or Order of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims . . 100 Form 5. Petition for Review or Appeal of an Order or Decision of an Agency, Board, Commission, or Officer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 Form 6. Motion and Declaration for Leave to Proceed in Forma Pauperis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 Form 6A. Supplemental in Forma Pauperis Form for Prisoners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 Form 7. Appeal Information Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 Form 8. Entry of Appearance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 Form 9. Certificate of Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 Form 10. Statement Concerning Discrimination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 Form 11. Informal Brief (MSPB or Arbitrator Cases) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113 Form 12. Informal Brief (District Court, Court of International Trade, and Court of Federal Claims Cases) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Form 13. Informal Brief (Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Cases) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 Form 14. Informal Brief (Board of Contract Appeals, Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences, Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, and International Trade Commission Cases) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 Form 15. Informal Brief (Secretary of Veterans Affairs Cases Under 38 U.S.C. § 502) . . . . . . . . . . . 121 Form 16. Informal Brief (General Accounting Office Personnel Appeals Board, Office of Compliance, and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Cases) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 Form 17. Sample Brief Cover (MSPB Cases) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 Form 18. Sample Brief Cover (District Court Cases) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 Form 19. Certificate of Compliance with Rule 32(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127 Form 20. Application for Fees and Other Expenses Under the Equal Access to Justice Act . . . . . . . 128 Form 21. Application for Admission to the Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 Guide for Pro Se Petitioners and Appellants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 Federal Circuit Attorney Discipline Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 Courtroom Decorum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147 Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151 Contents x FOREWORD Preface Here is the information needed to conduct a proceeding in the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Counsel are assumed familiar with it. The Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure are current as of the date of issuance of this volume. Be sure to check for any later amendments. Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure The Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure not applicable in this court are indicated by strike-overs. Cite these rules as Fed. R. App. P. Federal Circuit Rules The court’s own Federal Circuit Rules are in gray shaded areas and printed in this type. A court rule implementing a specific Federal Rule follows and bears the same number as the rule implemented. Other court rules concerning procedural matters appear after Fed. R. App. P. 47. Court rules concerning administrative matters appear after Fed. R. App. P. 48. Cite the court’s rules as Fed. Cir. R. Practice Notes Practice Notes are in ruled boxes and are printed in this type. Practice Notes follow the rule annotated. Counsel may rely on the notes but may not use them to avoid controlling statutes or rules, which govern in the event of conflict. As a general practice, do not cite the notes. Appendix of Forms Forms prescribed by the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure and selected Federal Circuit forms are an appendix to this volume. Forms are also available from the clerk. Guide for Pro Se Petitioners and Appellants The Guide is located at the end of the rules. It provides an alternative method for conducting a proceeding in this court for those not represented by counsel. As a general practice, do not cite the Guide. Federal Circuit Attorney Discipline Rules The court’s rules provide the grounds for disciplining members of the bar, the types of discipline, and the procedures to be followed. Courtroom Decorum Provides proper conduct for participants and spectators during court sessions. Inquiries and Comments Telephone inquiries about the rules of practice may be made to the Clerk’s Office, (202) 633-6550. Have these rules at hand when you call. Counsel receiving advice by telephone are expected to confirm it in writing to the clerk and to opposing counsel when that advice appears to authorize exceptions to these rules. Comments on the rules are welcome. Send comments to Clerk, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, 717 Madison Place, NW, Washington, DC 20439. 1 Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure Federal Circuit Rule Rule TITLE I. APPLICABILITY OF RULES 1 Rule 1. Scope of Rules; Title (a) Scope of Rules. (1) These rules govern procedure in the United States courts of appeals. (2) When these rules provide for filing a motion or other document in the district court, the procedure must comply with the practice of the district court. (b) [Abrogated.] (c) Title. These rules are to be known as the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure. 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 administrative agency, board, commission, or officer of the United States, including each of the following: (A) the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences of the Patent and Trademark Office; (B) the Director of Patents and Trademarks; (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) certain arbitrators; (I) the Boards of Contract Appeals in federal agencies; (J) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs acting under 38 U.S.C. § 502; (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; Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure Federal Circuit Rule 2 Rule (N) the Office of Compliance acting under 2 U.S.C. § 1407(a)(1); (O) the General Accounting Office Personnel Appeals Board; and (P) the Office of Personnel Management acting under 5 U.S.C. § 8902(g)(2). (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. Rule 2. Suspension of Rules On its own or a party’s motion, a court of appeals may — to expedite its decision or for other good cause — suspend any provision of these rules in a particular case and order proceedings as it directs, except as otherwise provided in Rule 26(b). 1 3 Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure Federal Circuit Rule Rule TITLE II. APPEAL FROM A JUDGMENT OR ORDER OF A DISTRICT COURT Rule 3. Appeal as of Right — How Taken (a) Filing the Notice of Appeal. (1) An appeal permitted by law as of right from a district court to a court of appeals may be taken only by filing a notice of appeal with the district clerk within the time allowed by Rule 4. At the time of filing, the appellant must furnish the clerk with enough copies of the notice to enable the clerk to comply with Rule 3(d). (2) An appellant’s failure to take any step other than the timely filing of a notice of appeal does not affect the validity of the appeal, but is ground only for the court of appeals to act as it considers appropriate, including dismissing the appeal. (3) An appeal from a judgment by a magistrate judge in a civil case is taken in the same way as an appeal from any other district court judgment. (4) An appeal by permission under 28 U.S.C. § 1292(b) or an appeal in a bankruptcy case may be taken only in the manner prescribed by Rules 5 and 6, respectively. (b) Joint or Consolidated Appeals. (1) When two or more parties are entitled to appeal from a district-court judgment or order, and their interests make joinder practicable, they may file a joint notice of appeal. They may then proceed on appeal as a single appellant. (2) When the parties have filed separate timely notices of appeal, the appeals may be joined or consolidated by the court of appeals. (c) Contents of the Notice of Appeal. (1) The notice of appeal must: (A) specify the party or parties taking the appeal by naming each one in the caption or body of the notice, but an attorney representing more than one party may describe those parties with such terms as “all plaintiffs,” “the defendants,” “the plaintiffs A, B, et al.,” or “all defendants except X”; (B) designate the judgment, order, or part thereof being appealed; and (C) name the court to which the appeal is taken. Rule 3. Appeal as of Right - How Taken (a) Appeal Information Sheet; Opinion; Certified Copy of Docket Entries. When a notice of appeal is filed, the trial court clerk must promptly send to this court’s clerk the appeal information sheet prescribed by this court. The trial court clerk must attach a copy of the opinion, if any, that accompanied the judgment or order being appealed. The trial court clerk must certify the copy of the docket entries and send it with the notice of appeal and the appeal information sheet. (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, but otherwise is deemed to be an appeal from the judgment of a district court for purposes of these rules. 3 Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure Federal Circuit Rule 4 (2) A pro se notice of appeal is considered filed on behalf of the signer and the signer’s spouse and minor children (if they are parties), unless the notice clearly indicates otherwise. (3) In a class action, whether or not the class has been certified, the notice of appeal is sufficient if it names one person qualified to bring the appeal as representative of the class. (4) An appeal must not be dismissed for informality of form or title of the notice of appeal, or for failure to name a party whose intent to appeal is otherwise clear from the notice. (5) Form 1 in the Appendix of Forms is a suggested form of a notice of appeal. (d) Serving the Notice of Appeal. (1) The

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