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d
(F) the proof of service (see Federal Rule of Appellate
Procedure 25(d)).
(f) Additional Copies of Briefs in Cases to be Heard En
Banc. Within 7 days after the order granting a rehearing
en banc, counsel must file 30 sets of the briefs that were
before the panel that initially heard the appeal, unless the
court directs otherwise.
(g) Length of Amicus Curiae Brief. Except by the court’s
permission or direction, an amicus curiae brief submitted
in connection with a petition for hearing en banc, a petition
for rehearing en banc, or a combined petition for panel
rehearing and rehearing en banc, must be accompanied
by a motion for leave and must not exceed 10 pages.
Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure Federal Circuit Rule
72
Rule
Rule 36. Entry of Judgment; Notice
(a) Entry. A judgment is entered when it is noted on the
docket. The clerk must prepare, sign, and enter the
judgment:
(1) after receiving the court’s opinion — but if settlement
of the judgment’s form is required, after final
settlement; or
(2) if a judgment is rendered without an opinion, as the
court instructs.
(b) Notice. On the date when judgment is entered, the clerk
must serve on all parties a copy of the opinion — or the
judgment, if no opinion was written — and a notice of
the date when the judgment was entered.
Rule 36. Entry of Judgment – 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:
(a) the judgment, decision, or order of the trial court
appealed from is based on findings that are not clearly
erroneous;
(b) the evidence supporting the jury’s verdict is sufficient;
(c) the record supports summary judgment, directed verdict,
or judgment on the pleadings;
(d) the decision of an administrative agency warrants
affirmance under the standard of review in the statute
authorizing the petition for review; or
(e) a judgment or decision has been entered without an error
of law.
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Practice Note
Separate Judgment Not Prepared in Certain Instances. A separate judgment is not prepared when a case is dismissed on consent or on
motion or for failure to prosecute. The order of dismissal serves as the judgment when entered.
Practice Notes
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 active judges of the court 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.
Timeliness. A petition for hearing or rehearing en banc is filed when the court receives it, not on mailing. The clerk will 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 non-precedential
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.
73
Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure Federal Circuit Rule
Rule
Practice Notes
Warning Against Filing or Proceeding with a Frivolous Appeal or Petition. The court’s early decision in Asberry v. United States, 692
F.2d 1378 (Fed. Cir. 1982), established the policy of enforcing this rule vigorously. Since then, many precedential opinions have included
sanctions under the rule. Damages, double costs, and attorney fees, singly or in varying combinations, have been imposed on counsel,
parties, and pro se petitioners for pursuing frivolous appeals.
Challenging a Frivolous Appeal. If an appellee or respondent considers an appeal or petition frivolous, the appellee or respondent must
file a separate motion with that allegation. The assertion that an appeal is frivolous must be accompanied by citation to the opposing brief
or the record below with clear argument as to why those citations establish that the appeal is frivolous. A party whose case has been
challenged as frivolous is expected to respond or to request dismissal of the case.
Rule 37. Interest on Judgment
(a) When the Court Affirms. Unless the law provides otherwise,
if a money judgment in a civil case is affirmed,
whatever interest is allowed by law is payable from the
date when the district court’s judgment was entered.
(b) When the Court Reverses. If the court modifies or
reverses a judgment with a direction that a money judgment
be entered in the district court, the mandate must
contain instructions about the allowance of interest.
Rule 38. Frivolous Appeal — Damages and Costs
If a court of appeals determines that an appeal is frivolous,
it may, after a separately filed motion or notice from
the court and reasonable opportunity to respond, award just
damages and single or double costs to the appellee.
Rule 39. Costs
(a) Notice of Entitlement to Costs. When the clerk provides
notice of judgment or order disposing of an appeal, the
clerk must advise which party or parties are entitled to
costs.
(b) Bill of Costs; Copies; Objection. A party must serve
the bill of costs on the form prescribed by the court and
must file an original and three copies with the court. An
objection to a bill of costs must not exceed 5 pages and
must be filed in an original and three copies and served
on the other parties.
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Rule 39. Costs
(a) Against Whom Assessed. The following rules apply
unless the law provides or the court orders otherwise:
(1) if an appeal is dismissed, costs are taxed against the
appellant, unless the parties agree otherwise;
(2) if a judgment is affirmed, costs are taxed against the
appellant;
(3) if a judgment is reversed, costs are taxed against the
appellee;
(4) if a judgment is affirmed in part, reversed in part,
modified, or vacated, costs are taxed only as the
court orders.
(b) Costs For and Against the United States. Costs for or
against the United States, its agency, or officer will be
assessed under Rule 39(a) only if authorized by law.
Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure Federal Circuit Rule
74
Rule
(c) Costs of Copies. Each court of appeals must, by local
rule, fix the maximum rate for taxing the cost of producing
necessary copies of a brief or appendix, or copies
of records authorized by Rule 30(f). The rate must not
exceed that generally charged for such work in the area
where the clerk’s office is located and should encourage
economical methods of copying.
(d) Bill of Costs: Objections; Insertion in Mandate.
(1) A party who wants costs taxed must — within 14
days after entry of judgment — file with the circuit
clerk, with proof of service, an itemized and verified
bill of costs.
(2) Objections must be filed within 10 days after service
of the bill of costs, unless the court extends the
time.
(3) The clerk must prepare and certify an itemized
statement of costs for insertion in the mandate, but
issuance of the mandate must not be delayed for
taxing costs. If the mandate issues before costs are
finally determined, the district clerk must — upon
the circuit clerk’s request — add the statement of
costs, or any amendment of it, to the mandate.
(e) Costs on Appeal Taxable in the District Court. The
following costs on appeal are taxable in the district court
for the benefit of the party entitled to costs under this
rule:
(1) the preparation and transmission of the record;
(2) the reporter’s transcript, if needed to determine the
appeal;
(3) premiums paid for a supersedeas bond or other
bond to preserve rights pending appeal; and
(4) the fee for filing the notice of appeal.
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75
Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure Federal Circuit Rule
Rule 40
Rule 40. Petition for Panel Rehearing
(a) Time to File; Contents; Answer; Action by the Court
if Granted.
(1) Time. Unless the time is shortened or extended by
order or local rule, a petition for panel rehearing
may be filed within 14 days after entry of judgment.
But in a civil case, if the United States or its
officer or agency is a party, the time within which
any party may seek rehearing is 45 days after entry
of judgment, unless an order shortens or extends
the time.
(2) Contents. The petition must state with particularity
each point of law or fact that the petitioner believes
the court has overlooked or misapprehended and
must argue in support of the petition. Oral argument
is not permitted.
(3) Answer. Unless the court requests, no answer to a
petition for panel rehearing is permitted. But ordinarily
rehearing will not be granted in the absence
of such a request.
(4) Action by the Court. If a petition for panel rehearing
is granted, the court may do any of the following:
Rule 40. Petition for Panel Rehearing
(a) Contents of Petition for Panel Rehearing. The preferred
contents and organization for a petition for panel rehearing
are:
(1) white cover or first page with the information
prescribed in Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure
32(a)(2);
(2) the certificate of interest (see Federal Circuit Rule
47.4);
(3) the table of contents;
(4) the points of law or fact overlooked or misapprehended
by the court;
(5) the argument;
(6) the addendum containing a copy of the court’s opinion
or judgment of affirmance without opinion sought to
be reheard; and
(7) the proof of service (see Federal Rule of Appellate
Procedure 25(d)).
(b) Addendum. A copy of the opinion or judgment of
affirmance without opinion sought to be reheard must
be bound with the petition for panel rehearing as an
addendum.
Practice Notes
Costs When the United States is a Party; Costs in Ex Parte Appeals from the Patent and Trademark Office. 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. An ex parte patent appeal under 35 U.S.C. § 141 and an ex parte trademark appeal under 15 U.S.C. § 1071 are not within
the scope of 28 U.S.C. § 2412, however, and costs in these appeals are not awarded for or against the Patent and Trademark Office.
Limit on Printing Costs. The costs taxable under Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 39 are limited to the costs of preparing typewritten
briefs (even if a party elects to have a brief printed) and of copying briefs and appendices.
Current Rates. The following rates are the current maximum allowable costs:
$6.00 per page for the table of page numbers of designated materials, the originals of briefs, and the table of contents for the
appendix (whether printed, typewritten, or word processed);
$0.08 per page for copying and collating; and
$2.00 per copy for covers and binding.
Allowable Costs. Costs may be billed for 16 copies of briefs and appendices, plus 2 copies for each additional party, plus any copies
required or allowed, e.g., confidential briefs or appendices. The cost of service copies of the table or physical compilation of the designated
materials may also be billed. Any other cost billed must be separately justified. The total billed for any item must be limited to the lesser
of actual or allowable costs. Actual cost of briefs and appendices prepared in-house includes word processing, copying, and binding,
at the amount normally billed to a client for these services. The United States may assume its actual costs are the allowable costs. The
costs of correcting a nonconforming brief 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 appeared pro se. Do not involve the court in collection matters.
Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure Federal Circuit Rule
76
Rule
(c) Items Excluded from Page Limitation; Other
Material.
(1) Items Excluded. The following items do not count
against the page limitation in Federal Rule of Appellate
Procedure 40(b):
(A) the certificate of interest;
(B) the table of contents;
(C) the table of citations;
(D) the addendum containing a copy of the opinion or
judgment of affirmance without opinion; and
(E) any addendum containing statutes, rules,
regulations, and similar matters.
(2) Other Material. Material not listed in this Federal
Circuit Rule 40 may not be included in the addendum
or in an appendix without leave of the court.
(d) Answer. If the court requests an answer, which must not
exceed 15 pages unless otherwise ordered, the preferred
contents and organization for the answer are:
(1) white cover or first sheet with the information
prescribed in Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure
32(a)(2);
(2) the certificate of interest (see Federal Circuit Rule
47.4);
(3) the table of contents;
(4) the argument; and
(5) the proof of service (see Federal Rule of Appellate
Procedure 25(d)).
(e) Time. The time limits set forth in Federal Rule of
Appellate Procedure 40(a)(1) also apply to a motion for
panel reconsideration of a dispositive panel order.
(f) Informal Petition for Panel Rehearing; Answer.
(1) Informal Petition. A pro se party may file an original
and 3 copies of an informal petition for panel rehearing
in letter form not to exceed 15 typewritten doublespaced
pages, attaching to each a copy of the opinion
or judgment sought to be reheard.
(2) Informal Answer. If the court requests an answer to
an informal petition for panel rehearing, or if the court
requests a pro se party to answer a formal petition
for panel rehearing, the answer may be informal,
following the standards prescribed for informal briefs.
The informal answer may not exceed 15 typewritten
double-spaced pages, and must be filed in an original
and 3 copies.
40
(A) make a final disposition of the case without
reargument;
(B) restore the case to the calendar for reargument
or resubmission; or
(C) issue any other appropriate order.
(b) Form of Petition; Length. The petition must comply in
form with Rule 32. Copies must be served and filed as
Rule 31 prescribes. Unless the court permits or a local
rule provides otherwise, a petition for panel rehearing
must not exceed 15 pages.
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Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure Federal Circuit Rule
Rule
Rule 41. Mandate: Contents; Issuance and
Effective Date; Stay
(a) Contents. Unless the court directs that a formal mandate
issue, the mandate consists of a certified copy of
the judgment, a copy of the court’s opinion, if any, and
any direction about costs.
(b) When Issued. The court’s mandate must issue 7 calendar
days after the time to file a petition for rehearing
expires, or 7 calendar days after entry of an order
denying a timely petition for panel rehearing, petition
for rehearing en banc, or motion for stay of mandate,
whichever is later. The court may shorten or extend the
time.
(c) Effective Date. The mandate is effective when issued.
(d) Staying the Mandate.
(1) On Petition for Rehearing or Motion. The timely
filing of a petition for panel rehearing, petition for
rehearing en banc, or motion for stay of mandate,
stays the mandate until disposition of the petition
or motion, unless the court orders otherwise.
(2) Pending Petition for Certiorari.
(A) A party may move to stay the mandate pending
the filing of a petition for a writ of certiorari
in the Supreme Court. The motion must be
served on all parties and must show that the
certiorari petition would present a substantial
question and that there is good cause for a
stay.
(g) Length of Amicus Curiae Brief. Except by the court’s
permission or direction, an amicus curiae brief submitted
in connection with a petition for panel rehearing must
be accompanied by a motion for leave to file and must
not exceed 10 pages.
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Practice Notes
Petition for Panel Rehearing Not Filed When Mailed. A petition for panel rehearing, unlike a brief, is not deemed filed when mailed; it
must be received by the clerk within the time fixed for filing. The time provided in Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 40(a)(1) runs from
the date the judgment is entered (see Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 36), not from the date counsel receives the opinion or order.
Therefore, Federal Rule of Appe
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