home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search
Text File | 1995-03-13 | 129.7 KB | 2,628 lines |
-
-
-
-
- PROPOSED REVISED
-
-
-
- RULES
-
- OF THE
-
- SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES
-
- MARCH 13, 1995
-
-
-
-
- PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: JULY 3, 1995
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- The Clerk's Comments that accompany these proposed revised Rules are not part of the
- Rules. They are furnished solely for the purpose of assisting readers in understanding
- proposed changes. Stylistic changes have been made throughout the proposed Rules
- and are not explained in the Clerk's Comments. Comments concerning the proposed
- revised Rules must be received by April 28, 1995. Comments should be submitted to:
-
- Clerk of the Court
- Attn: Rules Committee
- Supreme Court of the United States
- Washington, DC 20543
-
-
-
- SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES
-
- 1 First Street, N.E.,
- Washington, D.C. 20543
-
-
-
-
-
-
- Clerk of the Court202-479-3011
- Reporter of Decisions202-479-3390
- Marshal of the Court202-479-3333
- Librarian202-479-3175
- Telephone Operator202-479-3000
-
-
-
-
-
- Mailing Address of the Solicitor General of the United States
- (see Rule 29.4)
- Room 5614
- Department of Justice
- 10th and Constitution Avenue, N.W.
- Washington, D.C. 20530
- Rule 1. Clerk
-
- 1. The Clerk shall receive documents for filing with the Court, and has authority to reject
- any requested filing that is not in compliance with these Rules.
-
- 2. The Clerk shall maintain the Court's records and shall not permit any of them to be
- removed from the Court building except as authorized by the Court. Any document filed
- with the Clerk and made a part of the Court's records may not thereafter be withdrawn
- from the official Court files. After the conclusion of the proceedings in this Court, any
- original records and documents transmitted to this Court by any other court shall be
- returned to the court from which they were received.
-
- 3. The office of the Clerk will be open, except on federal legal holidays, from 9 a.m. to
- 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, unless otherwise ordered by the Court or the Chief
- Justice. See 5 U. S. C. 6103 for a list of federal legal holidays.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Rule 1.1 clarifies the Clerk's authority to return documents that do not comply with the
- Rules.
-
-
- Rule 2. Library
-
- 1. This Court's library is available for use by appropriate personnel of this Court,
- members of the Bar of this Court, Members of Congress and their legal staffs, and
- attorneys for the United States and its departments and agencies.
-
- 2. The library's hours are governed by regulations made by the Librarian with the
- approval of the Chief Justice or the Court.
-
- 3. Library books may not be removed from the building, except by a Justice or a
- member of a Justice's staff.
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Rule 2.2 reflects current practice.
-
- Rule 3. Term
-
- The Court will hold a continuous annual Term commencing on the first Monday in
- October and ending the day before the first Monday in October of the following year. See
- 28 U. S. C. 2. At the end of each Term, all cases pending on the docket shall be
- continued to the next Term.
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Language is added to clarify the length of a Term.
-
- Rule 3.2 is deleted as unnecessary.
- Rule 4. Sessions and Quorum
-
- 1. Open sessions of the Court will be held beginning at 10 a.m. on the first Monday in
- October of each year, and thereafter as announced by the Court. Unless otherwise
- ordered, the Court will sit to hear arguments from 10 a.m. until noon and from 1 p.m. until
- 3 p.m.
-
- 2. Six Members of the Court constitute a quorum. See 28 U.S.C. 1. In the absence
- of a quorum on any day appointed for holding a session of the Court, the Justices
- attending, or if no Justice is present, the Clerk or a Deputy Clerk may announce that the
- Court will not meet until there is a quorum.
-
- 3. The Court in appropriate circumstances may direct the Clerk or the Marshal to
- announce recesses.
-
- Rule 5. Admission to the Bar
-
- 1. To qualify for admission to the Bar of this Court, an applicant shall have been
- admitted to practice in the highest court of a State, Commonwealth, Territory or
- Possession, or the District of Columbia for a period of at least three years immediately
- preceding the date of application; shall not have been the subject of any adverse
- disciplinary action pronounced or in effect during that 3-year period; and shall appear to
- the Court to be of good moral and professional character.
-
- 2. Each applicant shall file with the Clerk (1) a certificate from the presiding judge, clerk,
- or other authorized official of that court evidencing the applicant's admission to practice
- there and the applicant's current good standing, and (2) a completely executed copy of
- the form approved by this Court and furnished by the Clerk containing (a) the applicant's
- personal statement and (b) the statement of two sponsors (both must be members of the
- Bar of this Court who personally know, but are not related to, the applicant) endorsing the
- correctness of the applicant's statement, stating that the applicant possesses all the
- qualifications required for admission, and affirming that the applicant is of good moral and
- professional character.
-
- 3. If the documents submitted demonstrate that the applicant possesses the necessary
- qualifications, has signed the oath or affirmation, and has paid the required fee, the Clerk
- shall notify the applicant of acceptance by the Court as a member of the Bar and issue
- a certificate of admission. An applicant who so wishes may be admitted in open court
- on oral motion by a member of the Bar of this Court, provided that all other requirements
- for admission have been satisfied.
-
- 4. Each applicant shall take or subscribe to the following oath or affirmation: I,
- ..............., do solemnly swear (or affirm) that as an attorney and as a counselor of this
- Court, I will conduct myself uprightly and according to law, and that I will support the
- Constitution of the United States.
-
- Rule 5. Admission to the Bar
-
- 5. The fee for admission to the Bar and a certificate under seal is $100, payable to the
- U. S. Supreme Court. The Marshal shall deposit such fees in a separate fund to be
- disbursed by the Marshal at the direction of the Chief Justice for the costs of admissions,
- for the benefit of the Court and its Bar, and for related purposes.
-
- 6. The fee for a duplicate certificate of admission to the Bar under seal is $15, payable
- to the U. S. Supreme Court. The proceeds shall be maintained by the Marshal as
- provided in paragraph 5 of this Rule.
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Rules 5.5 and 5.6 delete the word "Marshal." Currently, some applicants erroneously mail
- their applications to the Marshal, apparently because the check is made out to the
- Marshal.
-
- "$15" is substituted for "$10" in Rule 5.6.
-
- Rule 6. Argument Pro Hac Vice
-
- 1. An attorney not admitted to practice in the highest court of a State, Commonwealth,
- Territory or Possession, or the District of Columbia for the requisite three years, but who
- is otherwise eligible for admission to practice in this Court under Rule 5.1, may be
- permitted to argue pro hac vice.
-
- 2. An attorney qualified to practice in the courts of a foreign state may be permitted to
- argue pro hac vice.
-
- 3. Oral argument pro hac vice will be allowed only on motion of the attorney of record
- for the party on whose behalf leave is requested. The motion shall state concisely the
- qualifications of the attorney who is to argue pro hac vice. It shall be filed with the Clerk,
- in the form required by Rule 21, no later than the date on which the respondent's or
- appellee's brief on the merits is due to be filed and shall be accompanied by proof of
- service as required by Rule 29.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Rule 6.2 deletes the words "barrister, or advocate who is."
-
- Rule 6.3 deletes the words "and distinctly" and "appropriate."
- Rule 7. Prohibition Against Practice
-
- No employee of this Court shall practice as an attorney or counselor in any court or
- before any agency of government while employed by the Court; nor shall any person after
- leaving such employment participate in any type of professional consultation or
- assistance, in any case pending before this Court or in any case being considered for
- filing in this Court, until two years have elapsed after separation; nor shall a former
- employee ever participate, by way of any form of professional consultation or assistance,
- in any case that was pending in this Court during the employee's tenure.
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Rule 7.1 is deleted as unnecessary.
- Rule 8. Disbarment and Disciplinary Action
-
- 1. Whenever a member of the Bar of this Court has been disbarred or suspended from
- practice in any court of record, or has engaged in conduct unbecoming a member of the
- Bar of this Court, an order shall be entered suspending that member from practice before
- this Court and affording the member an opportunity to show cause, within 40 days, why
- a disbarment order should not be entered. Upon response, or upon the expiration of the
- 40 days if no response is made, the Court will enter an appropriate order.
-
- 2. The Court, after reasonable notice and an opportunity to show cause why disciplinary
- action should not be taken, and after a hearing if material facts are in dispute, may take
- any appropriate disciplinary action against any attorney who practices before it for
- conduct unbecoming a member of the Bar or for failure to comply with these Rules or any
- Rule of the Court.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Rule 8.1 is changed to conform to current practice.
-
- Rule 9. Appearance of Counsel
-
- 1. An attorney seeking to file a document in this Court in a representative capacity must
- first be admitted to practice before this Court pursuant to Rule 5, but admission to the Bar
- of this Court is not required for an attorney appointed under the Criminal Justice Act, see
- 18 U. S. C. 3006A(d)(6), or under any other applicable federal statute. The attorney
- whose name, address, and telephone number appear on the cover of a document
- presented for filing shall be counsel of record, and a separate notice of appearance need
- not be filed. If the name of more than one attorney is shown on the cover of the
- document, the attorney who is counsel of record shall be clearly identified.
-
- 2. An attorney representing a party who will not be filing a document shall enter a
- separate notice of appearance as counsel of record indicating the name of the party
- represented. If an attorney is to be substituted as counsel of record in a particular case,
- a separate notice of appearance also shall be entered.
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Rule 9.1 includes a reference to the statute providing that Criminal Justice Act counsel
- may appeal or petition for certiorari "without prepayment of fees and costs or security
- therefor." This language has been interpreted by the Court for at least two decades to
- include the costs associated with being admitted to the Bar of the Court. Similar
- allowance is made for attorneys appointed under other federal statutes, such as 21
- U.S.C. 848(q).
-
- Rule 10. Considerations Governing Review on Writ of Certiorari
-
- Review on a writ of certiorari is not a matter of right, but of judicial discretion. A petition
- for a writ of certiorari will be granted only when there are compelling reasons therefor.
- The following, while neither controlling nor fully measuring the Court's discretion, indicate
- the character of reasons that will be considered:
- A United States court of appeals has rendered a decision in conflict with the
- decision of another United States court of appeals; or has decided a federal question
- in a way that conflicts with a state court of last resort; or has so far departed from the
- accepted and usual course of judicial proceedings, or sanctioned such a departure
- by a lower court, as to call for an exercise of this Court's power of supervision;
- A state court of last resort has decided a federal question in a way that conflicts
- with the decision of another state court of last resort or of a United States court of
- appeals;
- A state court or a United States court of appeals has decided an important question
- of federal law that has not been, but should be, settled by this Court, or has decided
- a federal question in a way that conflicts with applicable decisions of this Court.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Rule 10.2 is deleted because there is no need to differentiate the United States Court of
- Appeals for the Armed Forces (formerly the United States Court of Military Appeals).
-
- Rule 11. Certiorari to a United States Court of Appeals before Judgment
-
- A petition for a writ of certiorari to review a case pending in a United States court of
- appeals, before judgment is given in that court, will be granted only upon a showing that
- the case is of such imperative public importance as to justify deviation from normal
- appellate practice and to require immediate settlement in this Court. See 28 U. S. C.
- 2101(e).
-
- Rule 12. Review on Certiorari; How Sought; Parties
-
- 1. Except as provided in paragraph 2 below, the petitioner shall file 40 copies of a
- petition for a writ of certiorari, prepared as required by Rule 33.1, and shall pay the Rule
- 38 docket fee.
-
- 2. A petitioner proceeding in forma pauperis under Rule 39 shall file an original and 10
- copies of a petition for a writ of certiorari prepared as required by Rule 33.2, along with
- an original and 10 copies of the motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis. The
- motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis shall preface and be attached to the
- petition for a writ of certiorari. An inmate confined in an institution, who is proceeding in
- forma pauperis and is not represented by counsel, need file only an original petition and
- an attached motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis.
-
- 3. Whether prepared pursuant to Rule 33.1 or Rule 33.2, the petition shall comply in all
- respects with Rule 14 and be submitted with proof of service as required by Rule 29. The
- case then will be placed on the docket. It is the duty of the petitioner to notify all
- respondents promptly, on a form supplied by the Clerk, of the date of filing, the date the
- case was placed on the docket, and the docket number of the case. The notice shall be
- served as required by Rule 29.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- The reference in Rule 12.1 to petitioner's counsel being a member of the Bar is deleted.
-
- Provisions for filing in forma pauperis are now included in Rule 12.2. Rule 12.2 attempts
- to alleviate the paper-handling burden placed on the Clerk's Office because of the
- submission of in forma pauperis motions that are stapled separately from petitions for
- certiorari. The number of copies of the petition to be filed in in forma pauperis cases is
- clarified. The burden is put on counsel or the petitioner to provide copies of the petition
- unless the petitioner is an inmate confined in an institution and is not represented by
- counsel.
-
- The last change to former Rule 12.1 (proposed Rule 12.3) reflects the change in Rule 15
- making a brief in opposition due 30 days after the case is placed on the docket rather
- than 30 days after receipt of the petition by respondent.
-
- Rule 12. Review on Certiorari; How Sought; Parties
-
- 4. Parties interested jointly, severally, or otherwise in a judgment may petition separately
- for a writ of certiorari; or any two or more may join in a petition. A party who is not
- shown on the petition to have joined therein at the time the petition is filed with the Clerk
- may not thereafter join in that petition. When two or more cases are sought to be
- reviewed on a writ of certiorari to the same court and involve identical or closely related
- questions, a single petition for a writ of certiorari covering all the cases shall suffice. A
- petition for a writ of certiorari shall not be joined with any other pleading, except that any
- motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis shall be attached.
-
- 5. Not more than 30 days after a case has been placed on the docket, a respondent
- wishing to file a cross-petition that would otherwise be untimely shall file, with proof of
- service as required by Rule 29, 40 copies of the cross-petition prepared as required by
- Rule 33.1, except that a cross-petitioner proceeding under Rule 39 shall comply with Rule
- 12.2. The cross-petition shall comply in all respects with this Rule and Rule 14, except
- that materials already reproduced in the appendix to the opening petition need not be
- reproduced again. A cross-petitioning respondent shall pay the Rule 38 docket fee or
- submit a motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis. The cover of the cross-petition
- shall indicate clearly that it is a conditional cross-petition. The cross-petition will then be
- placed on the docket, subject, however, to the provisions of Rule 13.4. It is the duty of
- the cross-petitioner to notify all cross-respondents promptly, on a form supplied by the
- Clerk, of the date of filing, the date the cross-petition was placed on the docket, and the
- docket number of the cross-petition. The notice shall be served as required by Rule 29.
- A cross-petition for a writ of certiorari may not be joined with any other pleading, except
- that any motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis shall be attached. The time to file
- a cross-petition may not be extended.
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Rule 12.4 (former Rule 12.2) emphasizes the requirement to attach the in forma pauperis
- motion to the petition.
-
- Rule 12.5 (former Rule 12.3) makes the due date for a cross-petition consistent with the
- due date in Rule 15 for a brief in opposition. As with Rule 15, this revision establishes
- a known-to-all date certain for the filing of the cross-petition. The term "conditional" was
- added to reinforce the fact that a cross-petition will not be granted unless the original
- petition is granted.
-
- Rule 12. Review on Certiorari; How Sought; Parties
-
- 6. All parties to the proceeding in the court whose judgment is sought to be reviewed
- shall be deemed parties in this Court, unless the petitioner notifies the Clerk of this Court
- in writing of the petitioner's belief that one or more of the parties below has no interest
- in the outcome of the petition. A copy of such notice shall be served as required by Rule
- 29 on all parties to the proceeding below. A party noted as no longer interested may
- remain a party by notifying the Clerk promptly, with service on the other parties, of an
- intention to remain a party. All parties other than the petitioner shall be respondents, but
- any respondent who supports the position of a petitioner shall meet the petitioner's time
- schedule for filing documents, except that such response supporting the petition shall be
- filed within 20 days after placement of the case on the docket, and the time may not be
- extended.
-
- 7. The clerk of the court having possession of the record shall retain custody thereof
- pending notification from the Clerk of this Court that the record is to be certified and
- transmitted to this Court. A party may cite the record in any document filed with this
- Court even though the record has not yet been transmitted. When requested by the
- Clerk of this Court to certify and transmit the record, or any part of it, the clerk of the
- court having possession of the record shall number the documents to be certified and
- shall transmit therewith a numbered list specifically identifying each document transmitted.
- If the record, or stipulated portions thereof, have been printed for the use of the court
- below, that printed record, plus the proceedings in the court below, may be certified as
- the record unless one of the parties or the Clerk of this Court otherwise requests. The
- record may consist of certified copies. If the presiding judge of the lower court is of the
- view that original documents of any kind should be seen by this Court, however, that
- judge may provide by order for the transport, safekeeping, and return of such originals.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Rule 12.6 was formerly Rule 12.4
-
- Rule 12.7 (former Rule 12.5) answers affirmatively the frequently asked question whether
- it is permissible to cite the record even though this Court does not have the record.
-
- Rule 13. Review on Certiorari; Time for Petitioning
-
- 1. A petition for a writ of certiorari to review a judgment in any case, civil or criminal,
- entered by a state court of last resort or a United States court of appeals is timely when
- it is filed with the Clerk of this Court within 90 days after the entry of the judgment unless
- otherwise provided by law. A petition for a writ of certiorari seeking review of a judgment
- of a lower state court that is subject to discretionary review by the state court of last
- resort is timely when it is filed with the Clerk within 90 days after the entry of the order
- denying discretionary review.
-
- 2. The Clerk shall refuse to receive any petition for a writ of certiorari that is
- jurisdictionally out of time. See, e.g., 28 U. S. C. 2101(c).
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Rule 13.1 recognizes that Congress has passed, and may in the future pass, statutes
- requiring a petition to be filed within a period other than 90 days. The citation to the
- United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces is deleted as unnecessary.
-
- Former Rule 13.2 has been added to former Rule 13.6 and moved to Rule 13.5 in order
- to consolidate the information pertaining to extensions of time.
-
- Rule 13.2 (former Rule 13.3) adds a reference to the statute that makes jurisdictional the
- time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari in a civil case.
-
- Rule 13. Review on Certiorari; Time for Petitioning
-
- 3. The time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari runs from the date the judgment or
- decree sought to be reviewed is rendered, and not from the date of the issuance of the
- mandate (or its equivalent under local practice). However, if a petition for rehearing is
- timely filed in the lower court by any party, the time to file the petition for a writ of
- certiorari for all parties (whether or not they requested rehearing or joined in the petition
- for rehearing) runs from the date of the denial of the petition for rehearing or, if the
- petition for rehearing is granted, the subsequent entry of judgment. A suggestion made
- to a United States court of appeals for a rehearing in banc is not a petition for rehearing
- within the meaning of this Rule unless so treated by the United States court of appeals.
-
- 4. A cross-petition for a writ of certiorari is timely when it is filed with the Clerk as
- provided in paragraphs 1, 3, and 5 of this Rule, or in Rule 12.5. However, a
- cross-petition which, except for Rule 12.5, would be untimely, will not be granted unless
- a timely petition for a writ of certiorari of another party to the case is granted.
-
- 5. A Justice, for good cause shown, may extend the time to file a petition for a writ of
- certiorari for a period not exceeding 60 days. An application to extend the time to file
- shall set out the basis of jurisdiction in this Court, identify the judgment sought to be
- reviewed, include a copy of the opinion and any order respecting rehearing, and set forth
- specific reasons why an extension of time is justified. The application must be received
- at least 10 days before the final due date, except in extraordinary circumstances. For the
- time and manner of presenting the application, see Rules 21, 22, 30, and 33.2. An
- application to extend the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari is not favored.
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Rule 13.3 (former Rule 13.4) deletes the words "in the case" from the second sentence
- so that the Rule covers situations in which multiple cases involving like issues are
- consolidated in the lower court and a single decision is rendered. The second change
- clarifies the meaning of "entry of a subsequent judgment." Some litigants mistakenly
- believe that the issuance of the certified judgment or mandate after the denial of a petition
- for rehearing starts the time running. The words added to the end of the last sentence
- bring the Court's Rule into conformity with the practice of a majority of the United States
- courts of appeals.
-
- Rule 13.5 adds language to draw particular attention to the 10-day provision of Rule 30.2.
- Rule 13.5 also adds a reference to Rule 33.2, which covers the format of papers filed on
- 8- x 11 inch paper.
-
- Rule 14. Content of a Petition for a Writ of Certiorari
-
- 1. A petition for a writ of certiorari shall contain, in the order here indicated:
-
- (a) The questions presented for review, expressed concisely in the terms and
- circumstances of the case, without unnecessary detail. If the petitioner seeks the
- setting aside of a judgment affirming or reversing the conviction or sentence in a case
- where the sentence of death has been imposed, the notation "capital case" shall
- precede the questions presented. The questions shall be set forth on the first page
- following the cover, and no other information may appear on that page. The
- statement of any question presented will be deemed to comprise every subsidiary
- question fairly included therein. Only the questions set forth in the petition, or fairly
- included therein, will be considered by the Court.
-
- (b) On a separate page, immediately following the questions presented for review,
- a list of all parties to the proceeding in the court whose judgment is sought to be
- reviewed (unless the names of all parties appear in the caption of the case), and a
- list of parent companies and nonwholly owned subsidiaries as required by Rule 29.6.
-
- (c) A table of contents and a table of authorities, if the petition exceeds five pages.
-
- (d) A reference to the official and unofficial reports of opinions delivered in the case
- by other courts or administrative agencies.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Rule 14.1(a) requires that capital cases be clearly identified.
-
- Rule 14.1(b) establishes a specific location for the list of corporate affiliates.
-
- Rule 14. Content of a Petition for a Writ of Certiorari
-
- (e) A concise statement of the basis of jurisdiction in this Court, showing:
-
- (i) the date of the entry of the judgment or decree sought to be reviewed;
- (ii) the date of any order respecting rehearing, and the date and terms of any
- order granting an extension of time to file the petition for a writ of certiorari;
- (iii) express reliance upon Rule 12.5, when a cross-petition for a writ of
- certiorari is filed under that Rule, and the date of docketing of the petition for a
- writ of certiorari in connection with which the cross-petition is filed;
- (iv) the statutory provision believed to confer on this Court jurisdiction to review
- the judgment or decree in question by writ of certiorari; and
- (v) if applicable, a statement that the notifications required by Rule 29.4(b) or
- (c) have been made.
-
- (f) The constitutional provisions, treaties, statutes, ordinances, and regulations
- involved in the case, set out verbatim with appropriate citation. If the provisions
- involved are lengthy, their citation alone shall suffice at this point, and their pertinent
- text shall be set forth in the appendix referred to in subparagraph 1(i) of this Rule.
-
- (g) A concise statement of the case setting forth the facts material to consideration
- of the questions presented, and also containing the following:
-
- (i) If review of a judgment of a state court is sought, specification of the stage
- in the proceedings, both in the court of first instance and in the appellate courts,
- when the federal questions sought to be reviewed were raised; the method or
- manner of raising them and the way in which they were passed upon by those
- courts; and such pertinent quotation of specific portions of the record or summary
- thereof, with specific reference to the places in the record where the matter
- appears (e.g., ruling on exception, portion of court's charge and exception
- thereto, assignment of errors), as will show that the federal question was timely
- and properly raised so as to give this Court jurisdiction to review the judgment
- on a writ of certiorari. When the portions of the record relied upon under this
- subparagraph are voluminous, they shall be included in the appendix referred to
- in subparagraph 1(i) of this Rule.
- (ii) If review of a judgment of a United States court of appeals is sought, the
- basis for federal jurisdiction in the court of first instance.
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Rule 14.1(e)(iii) reflects the due date for a conditional cross-petition under Rule 12.3.
- Rule 14.1(e)(v) requires that the Rule 29.4(b) or (c) recitations concerning the
- constitutionality of a statute appear at a definite place.
- Rule 14. Content of a Petition for a Writ of Certiorari
-
- (h) A direct and concise argument amplifying the reasons relied on for allowance
- of the writ. See Rule 10.
- (i) An appendix containing, in the following order:
-
- (i) the opinions, orders, findings of fact, and conclusions of law, whether
- written or orally given and transcribed, delivered upon the rendering of the
- judgment or decree sought to be reviewed;
- (ii) any other opinions, orders, findings of fact, and conclusions of law rendered
- in the case by courts or administrative agencies, and, if reference thereto is
- necessary to ascertain the grounds of the judgment or decree, of those in
- companion cases (each document shall include the caption showing the name
- of the issuing court or agency, the title and number of the case, and the date of
- entry);
- (iii) any order on rehearing, including the caption showing the name of the
- issuing court, the title and number of the case, and the date of entry;
- (iv) the judgment sought to be reviewed if the date of its entry is different from
- the date of the opinion or order required in sub-subparagraph (i) of this
- subparagraph;
- (v) any other appended materials.
-
- If the material required by subparagraphs 1(f), 1(g)(i), and 1(i) of this Rule is voluminous,
- it may be presented in a separate volume or volumes with appropriate covers.
-
- 2. A petition for a writ of certiorari and the appendix thereto, whether in the same or a
- separate volume, shall be prepared as required by Rule 33.
-
- 3. All contentions in support of a petition for a writ of certiorari shall be set forth in the
- body of the petition, as provided in subparagraph 1(h) of this Rule. No separate brief in
- support of a petition for a writ of certiorari shall be filed, and the Clerk shall refuse to file
- any petition for a writ of certiorari to which is annexed or appended any supporting brief.
-
- 4. A petition for a writ of certiorari should be stated in short and plain terms and may
- not exceed the page limitations set out in Rule 33.
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- The last sentence of former Rule 14.2 is now Rule 14.6.
-
- Rule 14. Content of a Petition for a Writ of Certiorari
-
- 5. The failure of a petitioner to present with accuracy, brevity, and clarity whatever is
- essential to a ready and adequate understanding of the points requiring consideration is
- sufficient reason to deny a petition.
-
- 6. If the Clerk determines that a petition submitted timely and in good faith is in a form
- that does not comply with this Rule or with Rule 33, the Clerk shall return it with a letter
- indicating the deficiency. If a corrected petition is received no later than 60 days after the
- date of such letter, its filing shall be deemed timely.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Rule 14.6 is intended to bring an end to litigation where a defective petition is submitted
- and returned for corrections but not promptly resubmitted.
-
- Rule 15. Brief in Opposition; Reply Brief; Supplemental Brief
-
- 1. A brief in opposition to the petition for a writ of certiorari may be filed by the
- respondent in any case, but is not mandatory except in a case denominated a capital
- case under Rule 14.1 or when ordered by the Court.
-
- 2. A brief in opposition shall be concise and may not exceed the page limitations set out
- in Rule 34. In addition to other arguments for denying the petition, the brief in opposition
- should address any perceived misstatements of fact or law in the petition that bear on
- what issues properly would be before the Court if certiorari were granted. Counsel are
- admonished that they have an obligation to the Court to point out in the brief in
- opposition, and not later, any perceived misstatements made in the petition. Any
- objection to consideration of the question presented based on what transpired in the
- proceedings below, if such objection does not go to jurisdiction, may be deemed waived
- unless called to the attention of the Court in the brief in opposition.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Rule 15.1 codifies the long established unwritten requirement that the respondent must
- respond to a petition for a writ of certiorari in a capital case and when the Court requests
- a response.
-
- Rule 15.2 contains the language previously found in Rules 15.1 and 15.3.
- Rule 15. Brief in Opposition; Reply Brief; Supplemental Brief
-
- 3. A brief in opposition may be filed within 30 days after the case is placed on the
- docket, unless such time is extended by the Court or a Justice or by the Clerk under Rule
- 30.4. Forty copies shall be filed, except that respondents proceeding in forma pauperis
- under Rule 39, including inmates of institutions, may file the number of copies required
- for petitions by such persons under Rule 12.2, along with a motion for leave to proceed
- in forma pauperis, which shall preface and be attached to each copy of the brief in
- opposition. If the petitioner is proceeding in forma pauperis, the respondent may file an
- original and 10 copies of a brief in opposition prepared as required by Rule 33.2.
- Whether prepared pursuant to Rule 33.1 or Rule 33.2, the brief in opposition shall comply
- with the requirements of Rule 24 governing a respondent's brief, except that no summary
- of the argument is required. A brief in opposition shall not be joined with any other
- pleading, except that any motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis shall be attached.
- The brief in opposition shall be served as required by Rule 29.
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Rule 15.3 (former Rule 15.2) establishes a known-to-all due date for a brief in opposition.
- The provision making the brief due 30 days after receipt of a petition for writ of certiorari
- by the respondent confuses respondents and amici curiae when a petition is returned for
- corrections or when multiple respondents receive the petition on different dates.
-
- The proposed method for calculating the due date for a brief in opposition should not
- significantly alter the time a respondent has for filing the brief. The date of receipt of the
- petition by the respondent will often be the same as the date the case is placed on the
- docket or within a few days of that date. Under both the former Rule and the proposed
- Rule, receipt of the petition for a writ of certiorari puts the respondent on notice that the
- petitioner has attempted to file a petition, and it is not until the receipt of notification of
- docketing that the respondent is informed that the case has been accepted for docketing.
- If the respondent was not timely served with the petition, an extension of time to file the
- brief in opposition may be granted.
-
- Rule 15.3 reduces to 10 the number of copies of a brief in opposition in an in forma
- pauperis case.
-
- Rule 15.3 dispenses with the requirement that a summary of the argument be contained
- in the brief in opposition. (There is no similar provision for a petition for a writ of
- certiorari.)
-
- Rule 15. Brief in Opposition; Reply Brief; Supplemental Brief
-
- 4. No motion by a respondent to dismiss a petition for a writ of certiorari shall be filed.
- Objections to the jurisdiction of the Court to grant a writ of certiorari may be included in
- the brief in opposition.
-
- 5. Upon the filing of a brief in opposition, the expiration of the time allowed therefor, or
- an express waiver of the right to file, the Clerk shall distribute the petition and brief in
- opposition (if any) to the Court for its consideration. If a cross-petition for a writ of
- certiorari has been docketed, distribution of both petitions will be delayed until the filing
- of a brief in opposition by the cross-respondent, the expiration of the time allowed
- therefor, or an express waiver of the right to file with regard to the cross-petition.
-
- 6. A reply brief addressed to arguments first raised in the brief in opposition may be
- filed by any petitioner, but distribution and consideration by the Court under paragraph
- 5 of this Rule will not be delayed pending its receipt. Forty copies shall be filed, except
- that petitioners proceeding in forma pauperis under Rule 39, including inmates of
- institutions, may file the number of copies required for petitions by such persons under
- Rule 12.2. The reply brief shall be served as required by Rule 29.
-
- 7. Any party may file a supplemental brief at any time while a petition for a writ of
- certiorari is pending, calling attention to new cases, new legislation, or other intervening
- matter not available at the time of the party's last filing. A supplemental brief shall be
- restricted to new matter; shall follow, insofar as applicable, the form for a brief in
- opposition prescribed by this Rule; and shall comply in all respects with Rule 33. Forty
- copies shall be filed, except that parties proceeding in forma pauperis under Rule 39,
- including inmates of institutions, may file the number of copies required for petitions by
- such persons under Rule 12.2. The supplemental brief shall be served as required by
- Rule 29.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Rules 15.6 and 15.7 clarify the filing requirements for parties proceeding in forma
- pauperis and parties who are inmates of institutions.
- Rule 16. Disposition of a Petition for a Writ of Certiorari
-
- 1. After consideration of the documents distributed pursuant to Rule 15, the Court will
- enter an appropriate order. The order may be a summary disposition on the merits.
-
- 2. Whenever a petition for a writ of certiorari to review a decision of any court is
- granted, the Clerk shall prepare, sign, and enter an order to that effect and shall notify
- the court below and counsel of record forthwith. The case will then be scheduled for
- briefing and oral argument. If the record has not previously been filed, the Clerk of this
- Court shall request the clerk of the court having possession of the record to certify it and
- transmit it to this Court. A formal writ will not issue unless specially directed.
-
- 3. Whenever a petition for a writ of certiorari to review a decision of any court is denied,
- the Clerk shall prepare, sign, and enter an order to that effect and shall notify the court
- below and counsel of record forthwith. The order of denial will not be suspended pending
- disposition of a petition for rehearing except by order of the Court or a Justice.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- The words "prepare, sign, and" are added to Rules 16.2 and 16.3 to conform to practice.
- Rule 17. Procedure in an Original Action
-
- 1. This Rule applies only to actions within the Court's original jurisdiction under Article
- III of the Constitution of the United States. See also 28 U. S. C. 1251 and the Eleventh
- Amendment to the Constitution. A petition for an extraordinary writ in aid of the Court's
- appellate jurisdiction shall be filed in accordance with Rule 20.
-
- 2. The form of pleadings and motions prescribed by the Federal Rules of Civil
- Procedure should be followed in an original action in this Court. In other respects those
- Rules and the Federal Rules of Evidence may be taken as a guide to procedure in an
- original action in this Court.
-
- 3. The initial pleadings in any original action shall be prefaced by a motion for leave to
- file, and all documents shall be prepared as required by Rule 33. A brief in support of
- the motion for leave to file also may be filed with the initial pleadings. Forty copies of
- each document shall be filed, with proof of service as required by Rule 29, except that
- when an adverse party is a State, service shall be made on both the Governor and the
- attorney general of that State.
-
- 4. The case will be placed on the docket when the motion for leave to file and the
- pleading are filed with the Clerk. The Rule 38 docket fee shall be paid at that time.
-
- 5. Within 60 days after the receipt of the motion for leave to file and the pleading, an
- adverse party may file, with proof of service as required by Rule 29, 40 copies of a brief
- in opposition to the motion. The brief shall be prepared as required by Rule 33. Upon
- the filing of a brief in opposition, the expiration of the time allowed therefor, or an express
- waiver of the right to file, the Clerk shall distribute the filed documents to the Court for its
- consideration. A reply brief may be filed, but consideration of the case will not be delayed
- pending its receipt. The Court thereafter may grant or deny the motion, set it down for
- oral argument, direct that additional documents be filed, or require that other proceedings
- be conducted.
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- A reference to the Federal Rules of Evidence is added to Rule 17.2 because provisions
- of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure have been superseded by the Federal Rules of
- Evidence.
-
- The number of copies required in an original case is reduced to 40 in Rules 17.3 and
- 17.5.
-
- Rule 17.5 allows for the filing of a reply brief by the plaintiff, which conforms to practice.
- Rule 17. Procedure in an Original Action
-
- 6. A summons issuing out of this Court in an original action shall be served on the
- defendant 60 days before the return day set out therein. If the defendant does not
- respond by the return day, the plaintiff may proceed ex parte.
-
- 7. Process against a State issuing out of this Court in an original action shall be served
- on both the Governor and the attorney general of that State.
- Rule 18. Appeal from a United States District Court
-
- 1. A direct appeal from a decision of a United States district court, when authorized by
- law, is commenced by filing a notice of appeal within the time provided by law with the
- clerk of the district court after entry of the judgment sought to be reviewed. The time to
- file may not be extended. The notice of appeal shall specify the parties taking the appeal,
- designate the judgment, or part thereof, appealed from and the date of its entry, and
- specify the statute or statutes under which the appeal is taken. A copy of the notice of
- appeal shall be served on all parties to the proceeding as required by Rule 29, and proof
- of service shall be filed in the district court with the notice of appeal.
-
- 2. All parties to the proceeding in the district court shall be deemed parties in this Court,
- but a party having no interest in the outcome of the appeal may so notify the Clerk of this
- Court and shall serve a copy of the notice on all other parties. Parties interested jointly,
- severally, or otherwise in the judgment may appeal separately; or any two or more may
- join in an appeal. When two or more judgments involving identical or closely related
- questions are sought to be reviewed on appeal from the same court, a notice of appeal
- for each judgment shall be filed with the clerk of the district court, but a single
- jurisdictional statement covering all the cases shall suffice.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Rule 18.1 is changed to conform to 28 U. S. C. 2101(a) and (b). Replacing the
- language with "provided by law" avoids any potential problem should Congress enact any
- statute conferring special appeals on the Court.
-
- The addition to Rule 18.2 allows for the filing of a single jurisdictional statement covering
- multiple judgments entered by the same court involving identical or related cases. See
- Rule 10.6 of the 1980 Rules.
-
- Rule 18. Appeal From a United States District Court
-
- 3. Not more than 60 days after filing the notice of appeal in the district court, the
- appellant shall file 40 copies of a jurisdictional statement prepared as required by Rule
- 33.1 and shall pay the docket fee prescribed by Rule 38, except that appellants
- proceeding in forma pauperis under Rule 39, including inmates of institutions, may file the
- number of copies required for petitions by such persons under Rule 12.2, along with a
- motion to proceed in forma pauperis, which shall preface and be attached to the
- jurisdictional statement. The jurisdictional statement shall follow, insofar as applicable,
- the form for a petition for a writ of certiorari prescribed by Rule 14, and shall be served
- as required by Rule 29. The appendix shall include a copy of the notice of appeal
- showing the date it was filed in the district court. The jurisdictional statement and the
- appendices thereto shall be prepared as required by Rule 33. A Justice, for good cause
- shown, may extend the time to file a jurisdictional statement for a period not exceeding
- 60 days. An application to extend the time to file a jurisdictional statement shall set out
- the basis of jurisdiction in this Court, identify the judgment sought to be reviewed, include
- a copy of the opinion, any order respecting rehearing, and the notice of appeal, and set
- forth specific reasons why an extension of time is justified. For the time and manner of
- presenting the application, see Rules 21, 22, and 30. An application to extend the time
- to file a jurisdictional statement is not favored.
-
- 4. Not more than 30 days after a case has been placed on the docket, an appellee
- wishing to file a cross-appeal that would otherwise be untimely shall file, with proof of
- service as required by Rule 29, a jurisdictional statement which shall comply in all
- respects (including number of copies filed) with Rule 18.3, except that materials already
- reproduced in the appendix to the opening jurisdictional statement need not be
- reproduced again. A cross-appealing appellee shall pay the Rule 38 docket fee or submit
- a motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis. The cover of the cross-appeal shall
- indicate clearly that it is a conditional cross-appeal. The cross-appeal will then be placed
- on the docket. It is the duty of the cross-appellant to notify all cross-appellees promptly,
- on a form supplied by the Clerk, of the date of filing, the date the cross-appeal was
- placed on the docket, and the docket number of the cross-appeal. The notice shall be
- served as required by Rule 29. A cross-appeal may not be joined with any other
- pleading, except that any motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis shall be attached.
- The time to file a cross-appeal may not be extended.
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Rule 18.3 clarifies the number of copies required for parties filing in forma pauperis.
-
- Rule 18.4 reinstates the procedure for docketing cross-appeals that was contained in Rule
- 12.4 of the 1980 Rules.
-
- Rules 18.3 and 18.4 clarify the filing requirements for parties proceeding in forma
- pauperis.
- Rule 18. Appeal from a United States District Court
-
- 5. After a notice of appeal has been filed, but before the case is docketed in this Court,
- the parties may dismiss the appeal by stipulation filed in the district court, or the district
- court may dismiss the appeal on the motion of the appellant and notice to all parties. If
- a notice of appeal has been filed, but the case has not been docketed in this Court within
- the time prescribed for docketing or any extension thereof, the district court may dismiss
- the appeal on the motion of the appellee and notice to all parties and may make any just
- order with respect to costs. If the district court has denied appellee's motion to dismiss
- the appeal, the appellee may move this Court to docket and dismiss the appeal by filing
- an original and 10 copies of such motion in conformity with Rules 21 and 33.2. Such
- motion shall be accompanied by a certificate from the clerk of the district court,
- establishing the filing of notice of and denial of appellee's motion to dismiss, and by proof
- of service as required by Rule 29. The appellant may not thereafter file a jurisdictional
- statement without special leave of the Court, and the Court may allow costs against the
- appellant.
-
- 6. Within 30 days after the case is docketed in this Court, the appellee may file a motion
- to dismiss, to affirm, or in the alternative to affirm or dismiss. Forty copies of such motion
- shall be filed, except that appellees proceeding in forma pauperis under Rule 39,
- including inmates of institutions, may file the number of copies required for petitions by
- such persons under Rule 12.2, along with a motion to proceed in forma pauperis, which
- shall preface and be attached to the motion to dismiss, to affirm, or in the alternative to
- affirm or dismiss. The motion shall follow, insofar as applicable, the form for a brief in
- opposition prescribed by Rule 15, and shall comply in all respects with Rules 21 and 33.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Rule 18.5 elaborates upon the practice of filing a "motion to docket and dismiss an
- appeal" as it appeared in Rule 14.3 of the 1980 Rules.
-
- Rule 18.6 directs counsel as to what should be contained in a motion to dismiss or affirm
- and what format to use. Language is added to clarify the filing requirements for parties
- proceeding in forma pauperis and parties confined in an institution.
- Rule 18. Appeal From a United States District Court
-
- 7. Upon the filing of the motion, the expiration of the time allowed therefor, or an
- express waiver of the right to file, the Clerk shall distribute the jurisdictional statement and
- motion (if any) to the Court for its consideration. If a cross-appeal has been docketed,
- distribution of both jurisdictional statements will be delayed until the filing of a Rule 18.6
- motion, the expiration of the time allowed therefor, or an express waiver of the right to file
- with regard to the cross-appeal.
-
- 8. A brief opposing a motion to dismiss or affirm may be filed by any appellant, but
- distribution and consideration by the Court under paragraph 7 of this Rule will not be
- delayed pending its receipt. Forty copies shall be filed, prepared as required by Rule
- 33.1, except that appellants proceeding in forma pauperis under Rule 39, including
- inmates of institutions, may file the number of copies required for petitions by such
- persons under Rule 12.2. The brief shall be served as required by Rule 29.
-
- 9. Any party may file a supplemental brief at any time while a jurisdictional statement
- is pending, calling attention to new cases, new legislation, or other intervening matter not
- available at the time of the party's last filing. A supplemental brief shall be restricted to
- new matter; shall follow, insofar as applicable, the form for a brief in opposition prescribed
- by Rule 15; and shall comply in all respects with Rule 33. Forty copies shall be filed,
- except that parties proceeding in forma pauperis under Rule 39, including inmates of
- institutions, may file the number of copies required for petitions by such persons under
- Rule 12.2. The supplemental brief shall be served as required by Rule 29.
-
- 10. The clerk of the district court shall retain possession of the record pending
- notification from the Clerk of this Court that the record is to be certified and transmitted.
- See Rule 12.7.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Rule 18.7 deals with distribution of a case when a cross-appeal is docketed.
-
- Rule 18.9 now contains the same language found in Rule 15.7.
-
- Rule 18.10 was formerly Rule 18.4.
- Rule 18. Appeal from a United States District Court
-
- 11. After consideration of the documents distributed under this Rule, the Court may
- dispose summarily of the appeal on the merits, note probable jurisdiction, or postpone
- further consideration of jurisdiction to the hearing of the case on the merits. If not
- disposed of summarily, the case shall stand for briefing and oral argument on the merits.
- If consideration of jurisdiction is postponed, counsel, at the outset of their briefs and at
- oral argument, shall address the question of jurisdiction. If the record has not previously
- been filed, the Clerk of this Court shall request the clerk of the court in possession of the
- record to certify and transmit it to this Court.
-
- 12. If the Clerk determines that a jurisdictional statement submitted timely and in good
- faith is in a form that does not comply with this Rule or with Rule 33, the Clerk shall
- return it with a letter indicting the deficiency. If a corrected jurisdictional statement is
- received no later than 60 days after the date of such letter, its filing shall be deemed
- timely.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Rule 18.11 reflects the current practice of the Clerk's Office when the Court notes
- probable jurisdiction or postpones further consideration of jurisdiction.
-
- Rule 18.12 parallels Rule 14.6.
-
- Rule 19. Procedure on a Certified Question
-
- 1. A United States court of appeals may certify to this Court a question or proposition
- of law on which it seeks instruction for the proper decision of a case. The certificate
- submitted shall contain a statement of the nature of the case and the facts on which the
- question or proposition of law arises. Only questions or propositions of law may be
- certified, and they shall be distinct and definite. The certificate shall be prepared as
- required by Rule 33.2 and shall be signed by the clerk of the court of appeals.
-
- 2. When a question is certified by a United States court of appeals, this Court, on
- application or on its own motion, may consider and decide the entire matter in
- controversy. See 28 U. S. C. 1254(2).
-
- 3. When a question is certified, the Clerk shall notify the parties and docket the case.
- Counsel shall then enter their appearances. After docketing, the Clerk shall submit the
- certificate to the Court for a preliminary examination to determine whether the case
- should be briefed, set for argument, or dismissed. No brief may be filed until the
- preliminary examination of the certificate is completed.
-
- 4. If the Court orders that the case be briefed or set for argument, the parties shall be
- notified and permitted to file briefs. The Clerk of this Court shall then request the clerk
- of the court in possession of the record to certify it and transmit it to this Court. Any
- portion of the record to which the parties wish to direct the Court's particular attention
- should be printed in a joint appendix prepared in conformity with Rule 26 by the appellant
- in the court of appeals, but the fact that any part of the record has not been printed shall
- not prevent the parties or the Court from relying on it.
-
- 5. A brief on the merits in a case on certificate shall comply with Rules 24, 25, and 33,
- except that the brief for the party who is the appellant below shall be filed within 45 days
- of the order requiring briefs or setting the case for argument.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Rule 19.1 conforms to the practice of the Court with respect to certified questions.
-
- Rule 20. Procedure on a Petition for an Extraordinary Writ
-
- 1. The issuance by the Court of an extraordinary writ authorized by 28 U. S. C.
- 1651(a) is not a matter of right, but of discretion sparingly exercised. To justify the
- granting of any such writ, it must be shown that the writ will be in aid of the Court's
- appellate jurisdiction, that there are exceptional circumstances warranting the exercise
- of the Court's discretionary powers, and that adequate relief cannot be obtained in any
- other form or from any other court.
-
- 2. The petition in any proceeding seeking the issuance by this Court of a writ authorized
- by 28 U. S. C. 1651(a), 2241, or 2254(a) shall be prepared in all respects as required
- by Rule 33. The petition shall be captioned "In re [name of petitioner]" and shall follow,
- insofar as applicable, the form of a petition for a writ of certiorari prescribed by Rule 14.
- All contentions in support of the petition shall be included in the petition. The case shall
- be placed on the docket when 40 copies, prepared as required by Rule 33.1, are filed
- with the Clerk and the docket fee is paid, except that petitioners proceeding in forma
- pauperis under Rule 39, including inmates of institutions, may file the number of copies
- required for petitions by such persons under Rule 12.2. The petition shall be served as
- required by Rule 29 (subject to subparagraph 4(b) of this Rule).
-
- 3. (a) A petition seeking the issuance of a writ of prohibition, a writ of mandamus, or
- both in the alternative shall state the name and office or function of every person against
- whom relief is sought and shall set forth with particularity why the relief sought is not
- available in any other court. There shall be appended to the petition a copy of the
- judgment or order in respect of which the writ is sought, including a copy of any opinion
- rendered in that connection, and any other document essential to understanding the
- petition.
-
- (b) The petition shall be served on every party to the proceeding in respect of which
- relief is sought. Within 30 days after the petition is placed on the docket, the parties may
- file 40 copies of a brief or briefs in opposition thereto, which shall comply fully with Rule
- 15. If the parties named as respondents do not wish to respond to the petition, they may
- so advise the Clerk and all parties by letter. All persons served shall be deemed
- respondents for all purposes in the proceedings in this Court.
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Rule 20.2 clarifies the filing procedures for petitioners proceeding in forma pauperis as
- well as those who are inmates of institutions.
-
- Rule 20.3(b) reflects the change to the calculation of time for the due date of a brief in
- opposition.
- Rule 20. Procedure on a Petition for an Extraordinary Writ
-
- 4. (a) A petition seeking the issuance of a writ of habeas corpus shall comply with the
- requirements of 28 U. S. C. 2241 and 2242, and in particular with the provision in the
- last paragraph of 2242, which requires a statement of the "reasons for not making
- application to the district court of the district in which the applicant is held." If the relief
- sought is from the judgment of a state court, the petition shall set forth specifically how
- and where the petitioner has exhausted available remedies in the state courts or
- otherwise comes within the provisions of 28 U. S. C. 2254(b). To justify the granting of
- a writ of habeas corpus, the petitioner must show exceptional circumstances warranting
- the exercise of the Court's discretionary powers and must show that adequate relief
- cannot be obtained in any other form or from any other court. This writ is rarely granted.
-
- (b) Habeas corpus proceedings will be ex parte, unless the Court requires the
- respondent to show cause why the petition for a writ of habeas corpus should not be
- granted. A response, if ordered, shall comply fully with Rule 15. Neither the denial of the
- petition, without more, nor an order of transfer to a district court under the authority of 28
- U. S. C. 2241(b) is an adjudication on the merits, and therefore does not preclude
- further application to another court for the relief sought.
-
- 5. When a brief in opposition under subparagraph 3(b) of this Rule has been filed, when
- a response under subparagraph 4(b) has been ordered and filed, when the time to file
- has expired, or when the right to file has been expressly waived, the Clerk shall distribute
- the documents to the Court for its consideration.
-
- 6. If the Court orders the case set for argument, the Clerk shall notify the parties
- whether additional briefs are required, when they shall be filed, and, if the case involves
- a petition for a common law writ of certiorari, that the parties shall prepare a joint
- appendix pursuant to Rule 26.
-
- Rule 21. Motions to the Court
-
- 1. Every motion to the Court shall clearly state its purpose and the facts on which it is
- based and may present legal argument in support thereof. No separate brief may be
- filed. A motion should be concise and shall comply with any applicable page limits. For
- an application addressed to a single Justice, see Rule 22.
-
- 2. (a) A motion in any action within the Court's original jurisdiction shall comply with
- Rule 17.3.
-
- (b) A motion to dismiss as moot (or a suggestion of mootness), a motion for leave to
- file a brief as amicus curiae, and any motion the granting of which would be dispositive
- of the entire case or would affect the final judgment to be entered (other than a motion
- to docket and dismiss under Rule 18.5 or a motion for voluntary dismissal under Rule 46)
- shall be prepared as required by Rule 33.1. Forty copies of such motion shall be filed,
- except that a party proceeding in forma pauperis under Rule 39, including inmates of
- institutions, may file the number of copies required for petitions by such persons under
- Rule 12.2, along with a motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis which shall preface
- and be attached to each copy of the motion. The motion shall be served as required by
- Rule 29.
-
- (c) Any other motion to the Court may be prepared as required by Rule 33.2; parties
- shall file an original and 10 copies of any such motion. The Court subsequently may
- order the motion to be prepared by the moving party as required by Rule 33.1; parties
- shall file 40 copies of any such motion.
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Rule 21.1 deletes the words "except for a motion to dismiss or affirm under [former] Rule
- 18." These words caused confusion because former Rule 18 stated that motions
- concerning jurisdictional statements should comply with Rule 21, yet the language in
- former Rule 21 excepted Rule 18.
-
- Rule 21.2(b) deletes the first eight words for the reason stated above. Language is
- added to Rule 21.2(b) to clarify the filing requirements for parties proceeding in forma
- pauperis and inmates of institutions.
- Rule 21. Motions to the Court
-
- 3. A motion to the Court shall be filed with the Clerk and shall be accompanied by proof
- of service as required by Rule 29. No motion shall be presented in open court, other than
- a motion for admission to the Bar, except when the proceeding to which it refers is being
- argued. Oral argument will not be permitted on any motion unless the Court so directs.
-
- 4. Any response to a motion shall be made as promptly as possible considering the
- nature of the relief asked and any asserted need for emergency action, and, in any event,
- within 10 days of receipt, unless otherwise ordered by the Court or a Justice or by the
- Clerk pursuant to Rule 30.4. A response to a motion prepared as required by Rule 33.1
- shall be prepared in the same manner if time permits. In an appropriate case the Court
- may act on a motion without waiting for a response.
- Rule 22. Applications to Individual Justices
-
- 1. An application addressed to an individual Justice having authority to grant the
- requested relief shall be filed with the Clerk, who shall promptly transmit it to the Justice
- concerned.
-
- 2. The original and two copies of any application addressed to an individual Justice shall
- be prepared as required by Rule 33.2, and shall be accompanied by proof of service on
- all parties as required by Rule 29.
-
- 3. The Clerk in due course shall advise all counsel concerned, by appropriately speedy
- means, of the disposition made of an application.
-
- 4. An application shall be addressed to the Justice allotted to the Circuit from which the
- case arises. When the Circuit Justice is unavailable for any reason, the application
- addressed to that Justice shall be distributed to the Justice then available who is next
- junior to the Circuit Justice; the turn of the Chief Justice follows that of the most junior
- Justice.
-
- 5. A Justice denying an application will note the denial thereon. Thereafter, unless
- action thereon is restricted by law to the Circuit Justice or is out of time under Rule 30.2,
- the party making an application, except in the case of an application for an extension of
- time, may renew it to any other Justice, subject to the provisions of this Rule. Except
- when the denial has been without prejudice, a renewed application is not favored. A
- renewed application may be made by sending a letter to the Clerk of the Court
- designating the Justice to whom the application is to be directed, together with 10 copies
- of the original application and proof of service as required by Rule 29.
-
- 6. A Justice to whom an application for a stay or for bail is submitted may refer it to the
- Court for determination.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Rule 22.1 clarifies the Clerk's authority to refuse to file an application when an individual
- Justice does not have the authority to grant the relief. The word "submitted" is changed
- to "filed" to conform to current practice.
-
- Rule 22.5 clarifies the procedure and number of copies required when filing a renewed
- application.
- Rule 23. Stays
-
- 1. A stay may be granted by a Justice as permitted by law.
-
- 2. A petitioner entitled thereto may present to a Justice an application to stay the
- enforcement of the judgment sought to be reviewed on writ of certiorari. See 28 U. S. C.
- 2101(f).
-
- 3. An application for a stay shall set forth with particularity why the relief sought is not
- available from any other court or judge. Except in the most extraordinary circumstances,
- an application for a stay will not be entertained unless the relief requested has first been
- sought in the appropriate court or courts below or from a judge or judges thereof. An
- application for a stay shall identify the judgment sought to be reviewed and have
- appended thereto a copy of the order and opinion, if any, and a copy of the order, if any,
- of the court or judge below denying the relief sought, and shall set forth specific reasons
- why a stay is justified. The form and content of an application for a stay are governed
- by Rules 22 and 33.2.
-
- 4. The judge, court, or Justice granting an application for a stay pending review by this
- Court may condition the stay on the filing of a supersedeas bond having an approved
- surety or sureties. The bond shall be conditioned on the satisfaction of the judgment in
- full, together with any costs, interest, and damages for delay that may be awarded. If a
- part of the judgment sought to be reviewed has already been satisfied, or is otherwise
- secured, the bond may be conditioned on the satisfaction of the part of the judgment not
- otherwise secured or satisfied, together with costs, interest, and damages.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- A reference to Rule 33.2 is added to Rule 23.3.
-
- Rule 24. Brief on the Merits; In General
-
- 1. A brief for a petitioner or an appellant on the merits shall comply in all respects with
- Rules 33.1 and 33.3 and shall contain in the order here indicated:
-
- (a) The questions presented for review under Rule 14. The phrasing of the
- questions presented need not be identical with that in the petition for a writ of
- certiorari or the jurisdictional statement, but the brief may not raise additional
- questions or change the substance of the questions already presented in those
- documents. At its option, however, the Court may consider a plain error not among
- the questions presented but evident from the record and otherwise within its
- jurisdiction to decide.
-
- (b) A list of all parties to the proceeding in the court whose judgment is under
- review, unless the caption of the case in this Court contains the names of all parties.
- Any amended listing of parent companies and nonwholly owned subsidiaries as
- required by Rule 29.6 shall be placed here.
-
- (c) A table of contents and a table of authorities if the brief exceeds five pages.
-
- (d) Citations of the opinions and judgments delivered in the courts below.
-
- (e) A concise statement of the grounds on which the jurisdiction of this Court is
- invoked, with citation of the statutory provision and of the time factors upon which
- jurisdiction rests.
-
- (f) The constitutional provisions, treaties, statutes, ordinances, and regulations
- involved in the case, set out verbatim with appropriate citation. If the provisions
- involved are lengthy, their citation alone shall suffice at this point, and their pertinent
- text, if not already set forth in the petition for a writ of certiorari, jurisdictional
- statement, or an appendix to either document, shall be set forth in an appendix to the
- brief.
-
- (g) A concise statement of the case setting forth the facts material to the
- consideration of the questions presented, with appropriate references to the joint
- appendix, e.g., (App. 12), or to the record, e.g., (Record 12).
-
- (h) A summary of the argument, suitably paragraphed, which should be a clear and
- concise condensation of the argument made in the body of the brief. Mere repetition
- of the headings under which the argument is arranged is not sufficient.
-
- (i) The argument, exhibiting clearly the points of fact and of law presented and
- citing the authorities and statutes relied upon.
-
- (j) A conclusion specifying with particularity the relief the party seeks.
-
- Rule 24. Brief on the Merits; In General
-
- 2. The brief filed by a respondent or an appellee shall conform to the foregoing
- requirements, except that no statement of the case need be made beyond what may be
- necessary to correct any inaccuracy or omission in the statement by the other side.
- Items required by subparagraphs 1(a), (b), (d), (e), and (f) of this Rule need not be
- included unless the respondent or appellee is dissatisfied with their presentation by the
- other side.
-
- 3. A brief on the merits may not exceed the page limitations set out in Rule 34. An
- appendix to a brief shall be limited to relevant material, and counsel are cautioned not to
- include in an appendix arguments or citations that properly belong in the body of the brief.
-
-
- 4. A reply brief shall conform to those portions of this Rule applicable to the brief for a
- respondent or an appellee, but, if appropriately divided by topical headings, need not
- contain a summary of the argument.
-
- 5. A reference to the joint appendix or to the record set forth in any brief shall indicate
- the appropriate page number. If the reference is to an exhibit, the page numbers at
- which the exhibit appears, at which it was offered in evidence, and at which it was ruled
- on by the judge shall be indicated, e.g., (Pl. Exh. 14; Record 199, 2134).
-
- 6. A brief shall be compact, logically arranged with proper headings, concise, and free
- of burdensome, irrelevant, immaterial, and scandalous matter. A brief not complying with
- this paragraph may be disregarded or stricken by the Court.
-
- Rule 25. Brief on the Merits; Time for Filing
-
- 1. Forty copies of the brief on the merits for the petitioner or appellant shall be filed with
- the Clerk within 45 days of the order granting the writ of certiorari or of the order noting
- probable jurisdiction or postponing consideration of jurisdiction.
-
- 2. Forty copies of the brief on the merits for the respondent or appellee shall be filed
- with the Clerk within 30 days after the receipt of the brief filed by the petitioner or
- appellant.
-
- 3. Forty copies of the reply brief, if any, shall be filed within 30 days after receipt of the
- brief for the respondent or appellee, or must be received by the Clerk not later than one
- week before the date of oral argument, whichever is earlier.
-
- 4. The time periods stated in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Rule may be extended as
- provided in Rule 30. An application to extend the time to file a brief on the merits is not
- favored. If a case is advanced for hearing, the time for filing briefs on the merits may be
- abridged as circumstances require pursuant to an order of the Court on its own motion
- or a party's application.
-
- 5. A party wishing to present late authorities, newly enacted legislation, or other
- intervening matter that was not available in time to be included in a brief may file 40
- copies of a supplemental brief, restricted to new matter and otherwise presented in
- conformity with these Rules, up to the time the case is called for oral argument or by
- leave of the Court thereafter.
-
- 6. No brief shall be filed by the Clerk after a case has been argued or submitted, except
- from a party and upon leave of the Court.
-
- 7. No brief shall be filed by the Clerk unless it is accompanied by proof of service as
- required by Rule 29.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Rule 25.4 is intended to discourage unwarranted requests for extensions of time.
- Rule 26. Joint Appendix
-
- 1. Unless the parties agree to use the deferred method described in paragraph 4 of this
- Rule, or the Court so directs, the petitioner or appellant, within 45 days after the entry of
- the order granting the writ of certiorari, noting probable jurisdiction, or postponing
- consideration of jurisdiction, shall file 40 copies of a joint appendix, prepared as required
- by Rule 33.1. The joint appendix shall contain: (1) the relevant docket entries in all the
- courts below; (2) any relevant pleadings, jury instructions, findings, conclusions, or
- opinions; (3) the judgment, order, or decision under review; and (4) any other parts of the
- record that the parties particularly wish to bring to the Court's attention. Any of the
- foregoing items already reproduced in a petition for a writ of certiorari, jurisdictional
- statement, brief in opposition to a petition for a writ of certiorari, motion to dismiss or
- affirm, or any appendix to the foregoing prepared as required by Rule 33.1, need not be
- reproduced in the joint appendix. The petitioner or appellant shall serve three copies of
- the joint appendix on each of the other parties to the proceeding as required by Rule 29.
-
- 2. The parties are encouraged to agree to the contents of the joint appendix. In the
- absence of agreement, the petitioner or appellant, not later than 10 days after entry of the
- order granting the writ of certiorari, noting probable jurisdiction, or postponing
- consideration of jurisdiction, shall serve on the respondent or appellee a designation of
- parts of the record to be included in the joint appendix. A respondent or appellee who
- considers the parts of the record so designated insufficient, within 10 days after receipt
- of the designation shall serve upon the petitioner or appellant a designation of additional
- parts to be included in the joint appendix, and the petitioner or appellant shall include the
- parts so designated. If the respondent or appellee has been permitted by this Court to
- proceed in forma pauperis, the petitioner or appellant may seek by motion to be excused
- from printing portions of the record the petitioner or appellant considers unnecessary. In
- making these designations, counsel should include only those materials the Court should
- examine; unnecessary designations should be avoided. The record is on file with the
- Clerk and available to the Justices. Counsel may refer in their briefs and in oral argument
- to relevant portions of the record not included in the joint appendix.
-
- 3. When the joint appendix is filed, the petitioner or appellant shall immediately file with
- the Clerk a statement of the cost of printing 50 copies and shall serve a copy of the
- statement on each of the other parties as required by Rule 29. Unless the parties
- otherwise agree, the cost of producing the joint appendix shall be paid initially by the
- petitioner or appellant; but a petitioner or appellant who considers that parts of the record
- designated by the respondent or appellee are unnecessary for the determination of the
- issues presented may so advise the respondent or appellee, who then shall advance the
- cost of printing the additional parts, unless the Court or a Justice otherwise fixes the initial
- allocation of the costs. The cost of printing the joint appendix shall be taxed as costs in
- the case, but if a party unnecessarily causes matter to be included in the joint appendix
- or prints excessive copies, the Court may impose these costs on that party.
- Rule 26. Joint Appendix
-
- 4. (a) Upon notice to the Clerk, if the parties agree or if the Court so orders, preparation
- of the joint appendix may be deferred until after the briefs have been filed. In that event,
- the petitioner or appellant shall file the joint appendix within 14 days after receipt of the
- brief for the respondent or appellee. The provisions of paragraphs 1, 2, and 3 of this
- Rule shall be followed, except that the designations referred to therein shall be made by
- each party when that party's brief is served. Deferral of the joint appendix is not favored.
-
- (b) If the deferred method is used, the briefs on the merits may make reference to the
- pages of the record. In that event, the joint appendix shall also include in brackets on
- each page thereof the page number of the record where that material may be found. A
- party wishing to refer directly to the pages of the joint appendix may serve and file copies
- of its brief on 8- by 11 inch paper as required by Rule 33.2 within the time provided by
- Rule 25, with appropriate references to the pages of the record. In that event, within 10
- days after the joint appendix is filed, copies of the brief prepared as required by Rule 33.1
- containing references to the pages of the joint appendix in place of, or in addition to, the
- initial references to the pages of the record, shall be served and filed. No other change
- may be made in the brief as initially served and filed, except that typographical errors may
- be corrected.
-
- 5. The joint appendix shall be prefaced by a table of contents showing the parts of the
- record that it contains, in the order in which the parts are set out therein, with references
- to the pages of the joint appendix at which each part begins. The relevant docket entries
- shall be set out following the table of contents. Thereafter, the other parts of the record
- shall be set out in chronological order. When testimony contained in the reporter's
- transcript of proceedings is set out in the joint appendix, the page of the transcript at
- which the testimony appears shall be indicated in brackets immediately before the
- statement that is set out. Omissions in the transcript or in any other document printed
- in the joint appendix shall be indicated by asterisks. Immaterial formal matters (captions,
- subscriptions, acknowledgments, etc.) should be omitted. A question and its answer may
- be contained in a single paragraph.
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Rule 26.4 reflects the Court's view on deferral of the joint appendix. The Clerk
- discourages use of the deferred appendix except in the most unusual cases because it
- delays the work of the Court.
-
- Rule 26. The Joint Appendix
-
- 6. Exhibits designated for inclusion in the joint appendix may be contained in a separate
- volume or volumes suitably indexed. The transcript of a proceeding before an
- administrative agency, board, commission, or officer used in an action in a district court
- or court of appeals shall be regarded as an exhibit for the purposes of this paragraph.
-
- 7. The Court by order may dispense with the requirement of a joint appendix and may
- permit a case to be heard on the original record (with such copies of the record, or
- relevant parts thereof, as the Court may require) or on the appendix used in the court
- below, if it conforms to the requirements of this Rule.
-
- 8. For good cause shown, the time limits specified in this Rule may be shortened or
- enlarged by the Court or a Justice, or by the Clerk pursuant to Rule 30.4.
-
- Rule 27. The Calendar
-
- 1. The Clerk from time to time shall prepare a calendar of cases ready for argument.
- A case ordinarily will not be called for argument less than two weeks after the brief for
- the respondent or appellee is due.
-
- 2. The Clerk shall advise counsel when they are required to appear for oral argument
- and shall publish a hearing list in advance of each argument session for the convenience
- of counsel and the information of the public.
-
- 3. On the Court's own motion, or on motion of one or more parties, the Court may order
- that two or more cases involving the same or related questions be argued together as
- one case or on such other terms as may be prescribed.
-
- Rule 28. Oral Argument
-
- 1. Oral argument should emphasize and clarify the written arguments in the briefs on
- the merits. Counsel should assume that all Justices have read the briefs in advance of
- oral argument. The Court disfavors oral argument read from a prepared text.
-
- 2. The petitioner or appellant shall open and may conclude the argument. A cross-writ
- of certiorari or cross-appeal will be argued with the initial writ of certiorari or appeal as
- one case in the time allowed for that one case, and the Court will advise the parties who
- shall open and close.
-
- 3. Unless otherwise directed, one-half hour on each side is allowed for argument.
- Counsel is not required to use all the allotted time. A request for additional time to argue
- shall be presented by motion under Rule 21 not later than 15 days after service of the
- petitioner's or appellant's brief on the merits and shall set forth specifically and concisely
- why the case cannot be presented within the half-hour limitation. Additional time is rarely
- accorded.
-
- 4. Only one attorney will be heard for each side, except by leave of Court upon motion
- filed not later than 15 days after service of the brief for the party supported. The request
- shall be presented by motion under Rule 21 and shall set forth specifically and concisely
- why more than one attorney should argue. Divided argument is not favored.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- The words "service of the petitioner's or appellant's brief on the merits" in former Rule
- 28.4 are replaced with the words "service of the brief of the party supported." A
- respondent is handicapped by the former requirement to request divided argument 15
- days after service of the petitioner's or appellant's brief on the merits. For example, a
- petitioner has the opportunity to read the Solicitor General's amicus brief supporting the
- petitioner before deciding whether to consent to the Solicitor General's motion for divided
- argument. Under the former rule, however, respondent had to decide whether to consent
- to divided argument prior to filing of the Solicitor General's amicus brief supporting the
- respondent.
-
- Rule 28. Oral Argument
-
- 5. Regardless of the number of counsel participating, counsel making the opening
- argument shall present the case fairly and completely and not reserve points of substance
- for rebuttal.
-
- 6. Oral argument will not be allowed on behalf of any party for whom a brief has not
- been filed.
-
- 7. By leave of the Court, and subject to paragraph 4 of this Rule, counsel for an amicus
- curiae whose brief has been filed pursuant to Rule 37 may argue orally on the side of a
- party, with the consent of that party. In the absence of consent, counsel for an amicus
- curiae may argue orally only by leave of the Court on a motion particularly setting forth
- why oral argument would provide assistance to the Court not otherwise available. The
- motion will be granted only in the most extraordinary circumstances.
-
- Rule 29. Filing and Service of Documents; Special Notifications; Corporate Listing
-
- 1. Any document required or permitted to be presented to this Court or to a Justice shall
- be filed with the Clerk.
-
- 2. To be timely filed, a document must actually be received by the Clerk within the time
- specified for filing; or be sent to the Clerk through the United States Postal Service by not
- less than first-class mail, postage prepaid, and bear a postmark showing that the
- document was mailed on or before the last day for filing (commercial postage meter
- labels alone are not acceptable); or, if filed by an inmate confined in an institution, be
- deposited in the institution's internal mail system on or before the last day for filing and
- be accompanied by a notarized statement or declaration in compliance with 28 U. S. C.
- 1746 setting forth the date of deposit and stating that first-class postage has been
- prepaid. If the postmark is missing or not legible, the Clerk shall require the person who
- mailed the document to submit a notarized statement or declaration in compliance with
- 28 U. S. C. 1746 setting forth the details of the mailing and stating that the mailing took
- place on a particular date within the permitted time. A document forwarded through a
- private delivery or courier service must actually be received by the Clerk within the time
- permitted for filing.
-
- 3. Any document required by these Rules to be served may be served personally or by
- mail on each party to the proceeding at or before the time of filing. If the document has
- been prepared as required by Rule 33.1, three copies shall be served on each other party
- separately represented in the proceeding. If the document has been prepared as
- required by Rule 33.2, service of a single copy on each other party separately
- represented shall suffice. If personal service is made, it shall consist of delivery at the
- office of counsel of record, either to counsel or to an employee therein. If service is by
- mail, it shall consist of depositing the document with the United States Postal Service,
- with not less than first-class postage prepaid, addressed to counsel of record at the
- proper post office address. When a party is not represented by counsel, service shall be
- made upon the party, personally or by mail.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Clarifying language is added to eliminate current confusion over what types of mail
- service are contemplated under former Rule 29.2. The rule inserts a prohibition against
- the use of commercial postage meter labels that can be set for any date.
-
- Rule 29. Filing and Service of Documents; Special Notifications; Corporate Listing
-
- 4. (a) If the United States or any department, office, agency, officer, or employee thereof
- is a party to be served, service shall be made upon the Solicitor General of the United
- States, Room 5614, Department of Justice, 10th and Constitution Ave., N.W.,
- Washington, D.C. 20530. When an agency of the United States is authorized by law to
- appear on its own behalf as a party, or when an officer or employee of the United States
- is a party, the agency, officer, or employee shall be served in addition to the Solicitor
- General.
-
- (b) In any proceeding in this Court wherein the constitutionality of an Act of Congress
- is drawn into question, and neither the United States nor any department, office, agency,
- officer, or employee thereof is a party, the initial document filed in this Court shall recite
- that 28 U. S. C. 2403(a) may be applicable and shall be served on the Solicitor General
- of the United States, Room 5614, Department of Justice, 10th and Constitution Ave.,
- N.W., Washington, D.C. 20530. In a proceeding from any court of the United States, as
- defined by 28 U. S. C. 451, the initial document also shall state whether that court,
- pursuant to 28 U. S. C. 2403(a), certified to the Attorney General the fact that the
- constitutionality of an Act of Congress was drawn into question. See Rule 14.1(e)(v).
-
- (c) In any proceeding in this Court wherein the constitutionality of any statute of a State
- is drawn into question, and neither the State nor any agency, officer, or employee thereof
- is a party, the initial document filed in this Court shall recite that 28 U. S. C. 2403(b)
- may be applicable and shall be served upon the attorney general of that State. In a
- proceeding from any court of the United States, as defined by 28 U. S. C. 451, the initial
- document also shall state whether that court, pursuant to 28 U. S. C. 2403(b), certified
- to the state attorney general the fact that the constitutionality of a statute of that State
- was drawn into question. See Rule 14.1(e)(v).
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Language referring to the date of receipt as controlling response time is deleted from Rule
- 29.4(a) for consistency with Rules 15.2 and 18.6.
- Rule 29. Filing and Service of Documents; Special Notifications; Corporate Listing
-
- 5. Proof of service, when required by these Rules, shall accompany the document when
- it is presented to the Clerk for filing and shall be separate from it. Proof of service shall
- contain, or be accompanied by, a statement that all parties required to be served have
- been served, together with a list of the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of
- counsel indicating the name of the party or parties each counsel represents. It is not
- necessary that service on each party required to be served be made in the same manner
- or evidenced by the same proof. Proof of service may consist of any one of the following:
-
- (a) an acknowledgment of service of the document in question, signed by counsel
- of record for the party served;
-
- (b) a certificate of service of the document in question, reciting the facts and
- circumstances of service in compliance with the appropriate paragraph or paragraphs
- of this Rule, and signed by a member of the Bar of this Court representing the party
- on whose behalf service is made or by an attorney appointed to represent that party
- under the Criminal Justice Act, see 18 U. S. C. 3006A(d)(6), or under any other
- applicable federal statute; or
-
- (c) a notarized affidavit or declaration in compliance with 28 U. S. C. 1746, reciting
- the facts and circumstances of service in accordance with the appropriate paragraph
- or paragraphs of this Rule, whenever service is made by any person not a member
- of the Bar of this Court.
-
- 6. Every document, except a joint appendix or brief amicus curiae, filed by or on behalf
- of one or more corporations shall list all parent companies and subsidiaries (except wholly
- owned subsidiaries) of each of the corporate filers. If there is no parent or subsidiary
- company to be listed, a notation to this effect shall be included in the document. If a list
- has been included in a document filed earlier in the particular case, reference may be
- made to the earlier document (except when the earlier list appeared in an application for
- an extension of time or for a stay), and only amendments to the listing to make it current
- need be included in the document being filed.
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- The requirement for a corporate listing found in former Rule 29.1 is now in Rule 29.6.
- Changes include language clarifying when reference may be made to a previous
- document containing the list.
- Rule 30. Computation and Extension of Time
-
- 1. In computing any period of time prescribed or allowed by these Rules, by order of the
- Court, or by an applicable statute, the day of the act, event, or default from which the
- designated period begins to run shall not be included. The last day of the period shall
- be included, unless it is a Saturday, Sunday, federal legal holiday, or day on which the
- Court building is closed by order of the Court or the Chief Justice, in which event the
- period shall extend until the end of the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, federal
- legal holiday, or day on which the Court building is closed. See 5 U. S. C. 6103 for a
- list of federal legal holidays.
-
- 2. Whenever a Justice or the Clerk is empowered by law or these Rules to extend the
- time to file any document, an application seeking an extension shall be filed within the
- period sought to be extended. However, an application to extend the time to file a
- petition for a writ of certiorari or to docket an appeal must be received at least 10 days
- before the specified final filing date as computed under these Rules; if received less than
- 10 days before the final filing date, such application will not be granted except in the most
- extraordinary circumstances.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- In Rule 30.2 the word "filed" is substituted for the word "presented" to clarify that under
- Rule 29.2 a document may be filed upon mailing. The word "received" is substituted for
- the word "submitted" in the second sentence of Rule 29.2. The language "as computed
- under these Rules" is added to clarify the date to be used when computing the date on
- which the request for an extension is due. For example, when the 90th day is a Sunday,
- the final filing date as computed under these Rules is Monday. Therefore, the 10 days
- should be computed from Monday. Likewise, if the 10th day before the final filing date
- is a Saturday, Sunday, federal legal holiday, etc., the applicant will satisfy the 10-day
- provision by ensuring that the Clerk's Office receives the application on the next business
- day.
-
- Rule 30. Computation and Extension of Time
-
- 3. An application to extend the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari, to docket an
- appeal, to file a reply brief on the merits, or to file a petition for rehearing is an application
- to an individual Justice that shall be presented and served upon all other parties as
- provided by Rule 22. Once denied, such an application may not be renewed. An
- application to extend the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari or to docket an
- appeal shall be presented in the form required by Rules 13.5, 18.3, and 22.
-
- 4. An application to extend the time to file any document or paper other than those
- specified in Rule 30.3 may be presented in the form of a letter to the Clerk setting forth
- specific reasons why an extension of time is justified. The letter shall be served upon all
- other parties as required by Rule 29. The application may be acted upon by the Clerk
- in the first instance. Any party aggrieved by the Clerk's action on an application to extend
- time may request that it be submitted to a Justice or to the Court. The Clerk shall report
- action under this paragraph to the Court in accordance with instructions the Court may
- issue.
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Rules 30.3 and 30.4 are redrafted to address separately applications presented to the
- Circuit Justice (Rule 30.3) and applications that may be acted upon by the Clerk in the
- first instance (Rule 30.4). Reference to an application to issue a mandate forthwith is
- deleted because it is not an extension application and it is already provided for in Rule
- 45.2.
- Rule 31. Translations
-
- Whenever any record to be transmitted to this Court contains any material written in a
- foreign language without a translation made under the authority of the lower court, or
- admitted to be correct, the clerk of the court transmitting the record shall immediately
- advise the Clerk of this Court so that this Court may order that a translation be supplied
- and, if necessary, printed as a part of the joint appendix.
-
- Rule 32. Models, Diagrams, and Exhibits
-
- 1. Models, diagrams, and exhibits of material forming part of the evidence taken in a
- case and brought to this Court for its inspection shall be placed in the custody of the
- Clerk at least two weeks before the case is to be heard or submitted.
-
- 2. All models, diagrams, and exhibits of material placed in the custody of the Clerk shall
- be removed by the parties within 40 days after the case is decided. If this is not done,
- the Clerk shall notify counsel to remove the articles forthwith. If they are not removed
- within a reasonable time thereafter, the Clerk will destroy them or make any other
- appropriate disposition of them.
-
- Rule 33. Document Preparation
-
- 1. Booklet Format: (a) Except for documents permitted by Rules 21, 22, and 39 to be
- submitted on 8- by 11 inch paper, every document filed with the Court shall be prepared
- using professional typesetting (e.g., wordprocessing or commercial printing) and
- reproduced by offset printing, photocopying, or similar process. The process used must
- produce a clear, black image on white paper.
-
- (b) The text of every document, including any appendix thereto, except a document
- produced on 8- by 11 inch paper, shall appear in print as standard 11-point or larger
- type with 2-point or more leading between lines. The print size and typeface shall be no
- smaller than that contained in the United States Reports from Volume 453 to date. Print
- size and typeface should be standard throughout. No attempt should be made to reduce,
- compress, or condense the typeface in a manner that would increase the content of a
- document. Quotations in excess of three lines shall be indented. Footnotes shall appear
- in print as standard 9-point or larger type with 2-point or more leading between lines. The
- document must be prepared on both sides of the page.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- The language governing printing requirements is revised to conform to current practice.
- The term "professional typesetting" encompasses typesetting, computer generation of
- documents, and hot lead printing. Documents produced on a typewriter will not be
- accepted except as provided for under Rule 33.2.
-
- The word "compress" was added to Rule 33.1(b) to prevent attempts to squeeze
- additional characters on a line. The addition concerning quotations conforms to practice.
-
- Rule 33. Document Preparation
-
- (c) Every document, except one produced on 8- by 11 inch paper, shall be produced
- on paper that is opaque, unglazed 6 1/8 by 9- inches in size, and not less than 60 lb.
- weight, and shall have margins of at least three-fourths of an inch on all sides. The text
- field, including footnotes, should be approximately 4 1/8 by 7 1/8 inches. The document
- shall be bound firmly in at least two places along the left margin (saddle stitch or perfect
- binding preferred) so as to make an easily opened volume, and no part of the text should
- be obscured by the binding. Spiral, plastic, metal, and string bindings may not be used.
- Copies of patent documents, except opinions, may be duplicated in such size as is
- necessary in a separate appendix.
-
- (d) Every document, except one produced on 8- by 11 inch paper, shall comply with
- the page limits shown on the chart in Rule 34. The page limits do not include the
- questions presented page, the listing of parties and corporate affiliates of the filing party,
- the subject index, the table of authorities, and the appendix. Verbatim quotations required
- under Rule 14.1(f), if set forth in the text of a brief rather than the appendix, are also
- excluded. The Court or a Justice, for good cause shown, may grant leave to file a
- document in excess of the page limits, but application for such leave is not favored. An
- application to exceed page limits shall comply with Rule 22 and must be received by the
- Clerk at least 15 days before the filing date of the document in question, except in the
- most extraordinary circumstances.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Rule 33.1(c) specifies paper weight and forbids the use of plastic, metal, and string
- bindings. The change in the sentence concerning patent documents conforms to present
- practice.
-
- Rule 33.1(d) is a combination of the former Rules 33.3 and 33.4. The page limits apply
- only to documents printed under Rule 33.1, not under Rule 33.2.
-
- The word "submitted" in former Rule 33.4 is changed to "received" in Rule 33.1(d) to
- conform to the change in Rule 30.2.
- Rule 33. Document Preparation
-
- (e) Every document, except one produced on 8- by 11 inch paper, shall have a
- suitable cover consisting of 65 lb. weight paper in the color indicated on the chart in Rule
- 34. The Clerk shall furnish a color chart upon request. Counsel must ensure that there
- is adequate contrast between the printing and the color of the cover. A document filed
- by the United States, or by any other federal party represented by the Solicitor General,
- shall have a gray cover. A joint appendix, answer to a bill of complaint, motion for leave
- to intervene, and any other document not listed in Rule 34 shall have a tan cover.
-
- (f) Forty copies of a document prepared under this Rule shall be filed.
-
- (g) The chart in Rule 34 shows the page limits and cover color for documents filed
- under this paragraph. If a separate appendix is filed, the color of the cover shall be the
- same as the cover of the document it supports.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Rule 33.1(e) is similar to former Rule 33.3. The additions to Rule 33.1(e) were made to
- conform to custom.
-
- Rule 33.1(e) was originally found in former Rule 33.1(a) and was moved to make the Rule
- read in a more orderly fashion.
-
- Rule 33.1(g) was inserted to introduce the chart and make it clear that it applies only to
- Rule 33.1. The second sentence clarifies the practice of the Clerk's Office. The additions
- to the chart conform to custom and clarify matters concerning original jurisdiction briefs.
-
- Rule 33. Document Preparation
-
- 2. 8- x 11 Inch Paper Format: (a) The text of every document, including any appendix
- thereto, expressly permitted by these Rules to be presented to the Court on 8- x 11 inch
- paper shall appear double spaced, except for indented quotations, which shall be single
- spaced, on opaque, unglazed, white paper, and shall be stapled or bound at the upper
- left-hand corner. Copies, if required, shall be produced on the same type of paper. All
- copies presented to the Court must be legible. The original of any such document
- (except a motion to dismiss or affirm under Rule 18.6) shall be signed in manuscript by
- the party proceeding pro se or by counsel of record who must be a member of the Bar
- of this Court. Rule 34 does not apply to documents prepared under this paragraph. An
- attorney appointed under the Criminal Justice Act, see 18 U. S. C. 3006A(d)(6), or under
- any other applicable federal statute, to represent a party proceeding in forma pauperis
- may file documents without being admitted to practice before this Court. Rule 34 does
- not apply to documents prepared under this paragraph.
-
- (b) Page limits for documents presented on 8- x 11 inch paper are: 40 pages for a
- petition for a writ of certiorari, jurisdictional statement, petition for an extraordinary writ,
- brief in opposition, or motion to dismiss or affirm; and 15 pages for a reply to a brief in
- opposition, brief opposing a motion to dismiss or affirm, supplemental brief, or petition for
- rehearing. The page exclusions set out in Rule 33.1(d) apply.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Rule 33.2 (former Rule 34) governs the preparation requirements for all documents which
- the Court does not require to be prepared in booklet form (e.g., applications and in forma
- pauperis petitions). The Court does not require Criminal Justice Act attorneys to pay the
- Bar admission fee.
-
- Rule 33.2(b) is added to impose page limitations on documents filed on 8- X 11 inch
- paper.
-
- Rule 33. Document Preparation
-
- 3. General Requirements: Every document, whether prepared under paragraph 1 or 2
- of this Rule, shall comply with the following provisions:
-
- (a) Each document shall bear on its cover, in the following order, from the top of
- the page:
-
- (i) the docket number of the case or, if there is none, a space for one;
- (ii) the name of this Court;
- (iii) the October Term in which the document is filed (see Rule 3.1);
- (iv) the caption of the case as appropriate in this Court;
- (v) the nature of the proceeding and the name of the court from which the action
- is brought (e.g., "On Petition for Writ of Certiorari to the United States Court of
- Appeals for the Fifth Circuit"; or, for a merits brief, "On Writ of Certiorari to the
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit");
- (vi) the title of the document (e.g., "Petition for Writ of Certiorari," "Brief for
- Respondent," "Joint Appendix");
- (vii) the name of counsel of record for the party concerned (who must be a
- member of the Bar of this Court except as provided in paragraph 2 of this Rule),
- and upon whom service is to be made, with a notation directly thereunder that the
- attorney is the counsel of record together with counsel's office address and
- telephone number.
-
- There may be only one counsel of record noted on a single document. The individual
- names of other members of the Bar of this Court, or of the bar of the highest court of a
- State, and, if desired, their post office addresses, may be added, but counsel of record
- shall be clearly identified. Names of persons other than attorneys admitted to a state bar
- may not be listed, unless the party is appearing pro se, in which case the party's name,
- address, and telephone number shall appear. The foregoing shall be displayed in an
- appropriate typographic manner and, except for the identification of counsel, may not be
- set in type smaller than standard 11-point, if the document is prepared as required by
- Rule 33.1.
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Rule 33.3 contains requirements for all documents filed with the Court regardless of the
- printing format.
-
- Rule 33.3(a) (former Rule 33.2) clarifies the Term notation requirement and requires that
- a pro se petitioner's name, address, and telephone number be included on the cover.
- Rule 33. Document Preparation
-
- (b) Every document exceeding five pages (other than a joint appendix), whether
- prepared under paragraph 1 or 2 of this Rule, shall contain a table of contents and a table
- of authorities (i.e., cases alphabetically arranged, constitutional provisions, statutes,
- treatises, etc.) with references to the pages in the document where they are cited.
-
- (c) The body of every document shall bear at its close the name of counsel of record
- and such other counsel, identified on the cover of the document in conformity with
- paragraph 3(a)(vii) of this Rule, as may be desired.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Rule 33.3(b) is the same as former Rule 33.5.
-
- Rule 33.3(c) is similar to former Rule 33.6.
-
- Rule 34. Preparation of Booklet-Format Documents
-
- Type of Document Page Limits Color of Cover
- i. Petition for a Writ of Certiorari 30 White
- (Rule 14.4); Motion for Leave to file
- a Bill of Complaint and Brief in Support
- (Rule 17.3); Jurisdictional Statement
- (Rule 18.3); Petition for an
- Extraordinary Writ (Rule 20.2)
-
- ii.Brief in Opposition (Rule 15.3); 30 Orange
- Brief in Opposition to Motion for
- Leave to file an Original Action
- (Rule 17.5); Motion to Dismiss or
- Affirm (Rule 18.6); Brief in Opposition
- to Mandamus or Prohibition (Rule 20.3(b));
- Response to a Petition for Habeas Corpus
- (Rule 20.4)
-
- iii.Reply to Brief in Opposition 10 Tan
- (Rules 15.6 and 17.5); Brief Opposing a
- Motion to Dismiss or Affirm (Rule 18.8)
-
- iv.Supplemental Brief 10 Tan
- (Rules 15.7, 18.9, and 25.5)
-
- v. Brief on the Merits by Petitioner 50 Light Blue
- or Appellant (Rule 24.3); Exceptions
- to Report of Special Master by Plaintiff
- (Rule 17.5)
-
- vi.Brief on the Merits by Respondent 50 Light Red
- or Appellee (Rule 24.3); Brief on
- the Merits by Respondent or Appellee
- Supporting Petitioner or Appellant;
- Exceptions to Report of Special Master
- by Party Other than Plaintiff (Rule 17.5)
-
- vii.Reply Brief on the Merits (Rule 24.4) 20 Yellow
-
- viii. Reply to Plaintiff's Exceptions to Report 50 Orange
- of Special Master (Rule 17.5)
-
- ix.Reply to Exceptions to Report of Special 50 Yellow
- Master by Parties Other than Plaintiffs.
-
- x. Brief for an Amicus Curiae at the 20 Cream
- Petition Stage (Rule 37.2)
-
- xi.Brief for an Amicus Curiae on the Merits, or 30 Light Green
- in an Original Action at the Exceptions Stage
- in Support of the Plaintiff, Petitioner, or Appellant, or
- in Support of Neither Party (Rule 37.3)
-
- xii.Brief for an Amicus Curiae on the Merits 30 Dark Green
- or in an Original Action at the Exceptions
- Stage in Support of the Defendant, Respondent, or
- Appellee (Rule 37.3)
-
- xiii. Petition for Rehearing (Rule 44) 10 Tan
-
- Rule 35. Death, Substitution, and Revivor; Public Officers
-
- 1. In the event a party dies after filing a petition for a writ of certiorari to this Court, or
- after filing a notice of appeal, the authorized representative of the deceased party may
- appear and, on motion, be substituted as a party. If the representative does not
- voluntarily become a party, any other party may suggest the death on the record and, on
- motion, seek an order requiring the representative to become a party within a designated
- time. If the representative then fails to become a party, the party so moving, if a
- respondent or appellee, shall be entitled to have the petition for a writ of certiorari or the
- appeal dismissed. A party so moving who is a petitioner or appellant shall be entitled to
- proceed as in any other case of nonappearance by a respondent or appellee. The
- substitution of a representative of the deceased shall be made within six months after the
- death of the party, or the case shall abate.
-
- 2. Whenever a case cannot be revived in the court whose judgment is sought to be
- reviewed because the deceased party has no authorized representative within the
- jurisdiction of that court, but does have an authorized representative elsewhere,
- proceedings will be conducted as this Court may direct.
-
- 3. When a public officer who is a party to a proceeding in this Court in an official
- capacity dies, resigns, or otherwise ceases to hold office, the action does not abate and
- any successor in office is automatically substituted as a party. The parties shall notify the
- Clerk in writing of any such successions. Proceedings following the substitution shall be
- in the name of the substituted party, but any misnomer not affecting substantial rights of
- the parties will be disregarded.
-
- 4. A public officer who is a party to a proceeding in this Court in an official capacity may
- be described as a party by the officer's official title rather than by name, but the Court
- may require the name to be added.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Rule 35.3 requires parties to notify the Clerk of any successions.
-
- Rule 36. Custody of Prisoners in Habeas Corpus Proceedings
-
- 1. Pending review in this Court of a decision in a habeas corpus proceeding
- commenced before a court, Justice, or judge of the United States, the person having
- custody of the prisoner shall not transfer custody to another person unless the transfer
- is authorized under this Rule.
-
- 2. Upon application by a custodian showing a need therefor, the court, Justice, or judge
- who rendered the decision under review may authorize transfer and the substitution of
- a successor custodian as a party.
-
- 3. (a) Pending review of a decision failing or refusing to release a prisoner, the prisoner
- may be detained in the custody from which release is sought or in other appropriate
- custody or may be enlarged upon personal recognizance or bail, as may appear fitting
- to the court, Justice, or judge who rendered the decision, or to the court of appeals, this
- Court, or a judge or Justice of either court.
-
- (b) Pending review of a decision ordering release, the prisoner shall be enlarged upon
- personal recognizance or bail, unless the court, Justice, or judge who rendered the
- decision, or the court of appeals, this Court, or a judge or Justice of either court, orders
- otherwise.
-
- 4. An initial order respecting the custody or enlargement of the prisoner, and any
- recognizance or surety taken, shall continue in effect pending review in the court of
- appeals and in this Court unless for reasons shown to the court of appeals, this Court,
- or a judge or Justice of either court, the order is modified or an independent order
- respecting custody, enlargement, or surety is entered.
-
-
-
- Rule 37. Brief for an Amicus Curiae
-
- 1. An amicus curiae brief that brings to the attention of the Court relevant matter not
- already brought to its attention by the parties may be of considerable help to the Court.
- An amicus curiae brief that does not serve this purpose burdens the Court, and its filing
- is not favored.
-
- 2. An amicus curiae brief submitted prior to the consideration of a petition for a writ of
- certiorari, motion for leave to file a bill of complaint, jurisdictional statement, or petition for
- an extraordinary writ, accompanied by the written consent of all parties, may be filed only
- if submitted within the time allowed for filing a brief in opposition to the petition for a writ
- of certiorari or for filing a motion to dismiss or affirm. The brief shall specify that consent
- was granted, and its cover shall identify the party supported. A motion for leave to file
- an amicus curiae brief when consent has been withheld is not favored. Any such motion
- shall be filed within the time allowed for the filing of the amicus curiae brief, indicate the
- party or parties who have refused consent, state the nature of the movant's interest, and
- be prepared as required by Rule 33.1 as one document with the brief sought to be filed.
-
- 3. An amicus curiae brief in a case before the Court for oral argument may be filed
- when accompanied by the written consent of all parties and presented within the time
- allowed for filing the brief for the party supported, or if in support of neither party, within
- the time allowed for filing the petitioner's or appellant's brief. The brief shall specify that
- consent was granted and its cover shall identify the party supported or indicate whether
- it suggests affirmance or reversal. No reply brief for an amicus curiae, and no brief for
- an amicus curiae in support of or in opposition to a petition for rehearing shall be filed.
-
- 4. An amicus curiae brief submitted in support of or in opposition to an application
- addressed to an individual Justice shall be submitted to the Clerk.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Rule 37.2 requires notation of the interest of the amicus at the petition stage and
- conforms to practice.
-
- Rule 37.3 conforms to the practice of the Court.
-
- Rule 37.4 provides guidance on how amicus curiae briefs are to be processed.
-
- Rule 37. Brief for an Amicus Curiae
-
- 5. When consent to the filing of an amicus curiae brief in a case before the Court for
- oral argument is withheld by a party to the case, a motion for leave to file indicating the
- party or parties who have withheld consent (accompanied by the proposed brief and
- prepared as required by Rule 33.1 as one document), may be presented to the Court.
- Such a motion shall not be filed unless submitted within the time allowed for the filing of
- an amicus curiae brief on written consent. The cover of such an amicus curiae brief shall
- identify the party supported or indicate whether it supports affirmance or reversal.
-
- 6. Consent to the filing of a brief for an amicus curiae is not necessary when the brief
- is presented on behalf of the United States by the Solicitor General; on behalf of any
- agency of the United States authorized by law to appear on its own behalf when
- submitted by the agency's authorized legal representative; on behalf of a State,
- Commonwealth, Territory, or Possession when submitted by its attorney general; or on
- behalf of a city, county, town, or similar entity when submitted by its authorized law
- officer.
-
- 7. A brief or motion filed under this Rule shall comply with the applicable provisions of
- Rules 21, 24, and 33 (except that it is sufficient to set forth in the brief the interest of the
- amicus curiae, the summary of the argument, the argument, and the conclusion) and shall
- be accompanied by proof of service as required by Rule 29. The motion for leave to file
- may not exceed five pages and shall be filed with the brief as one document. A party
- served with the motion may file an objection thereto, concisely stating the reasons for
- withholding consent, which shall be prepared as required by Rule 33.1.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- The term "political subdivision" was removed from Rule 37.6 and replaced with language
- that clarifies the meaning of the Rule.
-
- The term "argument" follows the "summary of the argument" in Rule 37.7. The
- requirements for a motion are added.
-
- Rule 38. Fees
-
- Under 28 U. S. C. 1911, the fees to be charged by the Clerk are:
-
- (a) For docketing a case on a petition for a writ of certiorari or on appeal or for
- docketing any other proceeding, except a certified question or a motion to docket and
- dismiss an appeal under Rule 18.5, $300.
-
- (b) For filing a petition for rehearing or a motion for leave to file a petition for
- rehearing, $200.
-
- (c) For the reproduction and certification of any record or paper, $1 per page; and
- for comparing with the original thereof any photographic reproduction of any record
- or paper, when furnished by the person requesting its certification, $.50 per page.
-
- (d) For a certificate bearing the seal of this Court, $10.
-
- (e) For a check paid to the Court, Clerk, or Marshal that is returned for lack of
- funds, $35.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- "$10" is substituted for "$25" in Rule 38(d).
- Rule 39. Proceedings In Forma Pauperis
-
- 1. A party seeking to proceed in forma pauperis shall file a motion for leave to proceed
- in forma pauperis, together with the party's notarized affidavit or declaration (in
- compliance with 28 U. S. C. 1746) in the form prescribed by the Federal Rules of
- Appellate Procedure, Form 4. See 28 U. S. C. 1915. The motion shall state whether
- leave to proceed in forma pauperis was sought in any other court and, if so, whether
- leave was granted. If the United States district court or the United States court of
- appeals has appointed counsel under the Criminal Justice Act, see 18 U. S. C. 3006A,
- or under any other applicable federal statute, no affidavit or declaration in compliance with
- 28 U. S. C. 1746 is required, but the motion shall cite the statute under which counsel
- was appointed.
-
- 2. If leave to proceed in forma pauperis is sought for the purpose of filing a document,
- the motion, and affidavit or declaration if required, shall be filed with that document and
- shall comply in every respect with Rule 21. As provided therein, it shall be sufficient to
- file an original and 10 copies, unless the party is an inmate confined in an institution and
- is not represented by counsel, in which case the original shall suffice. The motion for
- leave to proceed in forma pauperis shall preface and be attached to any accompanying
- substantive document.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Rule 39.2 allows, at later stages of the proceeding, a motion for leave to proceed in forma
- pauperis that is not accompanied by a substantive document.
-
- Rule 39.2 places the burden of providing copies on the attorney or the non-inmate pro
- se petitioner and is consistent with Rule 12.
-
- Rule 39.2 attempts to alleviate the paper-handling burden placed on the Clerk's Office
- because of the submission of in forma pauperis motions that are stapled separately from
- petitions for certiorari.
-
- Rule 39. Proceedings In Forma Pauperis
-
- 3. Every document presented under this Rule must be legible and, whenever possible,
- shall be prepared as required by Rule 33.2. While making due allowance for any case
- presented under this Rule by a person appearing pro se, the Clerk shall refuse to receive
- any document sought to be filed that does not comply with the substance of these Rules
- or that appears to be jurisdictionally out of time.
-
- 4. When the documents required by paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Rule are presented to
- the Clerk, accompanied by proof of service as required by Rule 29, they shall be placed
- on the docket without the payment of a docket fee or any other fee.
-
- 5. The respondent or appellee in a case filed in forma pauperis shall respond in the
- same manner and within the same time as in any other case of the same nature, except
- that the filing of an original and 10 copies of a response prepared as required by Rule
- 33.2, with proof of service as required by Rule 29, shall suffice. The respondent or
- appellee may challenge the grounds for the motion to proceed in forma pauperis in a
- separate document or in the response itself.
-
- 6. Whenever the Court appoints counsel for an indigent party in a case set for oral
- argument, the briefs submitted by that counsel, unless otherwise requested, shall be
- prepared under the supervision of the Clerk. The Clerk shall also reimburse appointed
- counsel for any necessary travel expenses to Washington, D. C., and return in connection
- with the argument.
-
- 7. In a case in which certiorari has been granted, probable jurisdiction noted, or
- consideration of jurisdiction postponed, this Court may appoint counsel to represent a
- party financially unable to afford an attorney to the extent authorized by the Criminal
- Justice Act, see 18 U. S. C. 3006A, or by any other applicable federal statute.
-
- 8. If satisfied that a petition for a writ of certiorari, jurisdictional statement, or petition for
- an extraordinary writ is frivolous or malicious, the Court may deny leave to proceed in
- forma pauperis.
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Rule 39.5 replaces the term "may" with "shall" to ensure all the documents in a case are
- in the same format. Rule 39.5 also makes the original and 10 copies the standard for
- documents submitted on 8- x 11 inch paper.
- Rule 40. Veterans, Seamen, and Military Cases
-
- 1. A veteran suing to establish reemployment rights under 38 U. S. C. 2022, or under
- any other provision of law exempting veterans from the payment of fees or court costs,
- may file a motion to proceed on papers prepared as required by Rule 33.2, except that
- the motion shall ask leave to proceed as a veteran and the affidavit shall set forth the
- moving party's veteran status. The motion shall preface and be attached to the petition
- for a writ of certiorari or other substantive document filed by the veteran.
-
- 2. A seaman suing under 28 U. S. C. 1916 may proceed without prepayment of fees
- or costs or furnishing security therefor, but a seaman is not entitled to proceed under
- Rule 33.2, except as authorized by the Court on separate motion under Rule 39.
- 3. An accused person petitioning for a writ of certiorari to review a decision of the United
- States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces under 28 U. S. C. 1259 may proceed
- without prepayment of fees or costs or furnishing security therefor and without filing an
- affidavit of indigency, but is not entitled to proceed under Rule 33.2, except as authorized
- by the Court on separate motion under Rule 39.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- The changes bring the Rule into conformity with Rule 33.
-
- The change in the name of the United States Court of Military Appeals is reflected in Rule
- 40.3.
-
- Rule 41. Opinions of the Court
-
- Opinions of the Court shall be released by the Clerk immediately upon their
- announcement from the bench, or as otherwise directed by the Court. Thereafter, the
- Clerk shall cause the opinions to be issued in slip form, and the Reporter of Decisions
- shall prepare them for publication in the preliminary prints and bound volumes of the
- United States Reports.
-
- Rule 42. Interest and Damages
-
- 1. If a judgment for money in a civil case is affirmed, whatever interest is allowed by law
- shall be payable from the date the judgment reviewed was entered. If a judgment is
- modified or reversed with a direction that a judgment for money be entered below, the
- mandate will contain instructions with respect to the allowance of interest. Interest in
- cases arising in state courts shall be allowed at the same rate that similar judgments bear
- interest in the courts of the State where judgment is directed to be entered. Interest in
- cases arising in a court of the United States shall be allowed at the interest rate
- authorized by law.
-
- 2. When a petition for a writ of certiorari, an appeal, or an application for other relief is
- frivolous, the Court may award the respondent or appellee just damages and single or
- double costs. Damages or costs may be awarded against the petitioner, appellant, or
- applicant, against the party's attorney, or against both.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- A sentence is added to conform Rule 42.1 to the requirements of federal law. See, e.g.,
- 28 U. S. C. 1961, 2411, 2516, 2674, and 2718. This will allow the Court to distinguish
- between cases arising in a state court and those arising in a federal court.
-
-
- Rule 43. Costs
-
- 1. If a judgment or decree is affirmed by this Court, costs shall be paid by the petitioner
- or appellant unless otherwise ordered by the Court.
-
- 2. If a judgment or decree is reversed or vacated by this Court, costs shall be allowed
- to the petitioner or appellant unless otherwise ordered by the Court.
-
- 3. The fees of the Clerk and the cost of printing the joint appendix are the only taxable
- items in this Court. The cost of the transcript of the record from the court below is also
- a taxable item, but shall be taxable in that court as costs in the case. The expenses of
- printing briefs, motions, petitions, or jurisdictional statements are not taxable.
-
- 4. In a case involving a certified question, costs shall be equally divided unless
- otherwise ordered by the Court; but if a decision is rendered on the whole matter in
- controversy, see Rule 19.2, costs shall be allowed as provided in paragraphs 1 and 2 of
- this Rule.
-
- 5. In a civil action commenced on or after July 18, 1966, costs under this Rule shall be
- allowed for or against the United States or an officer or agent thereof, unless expressly
- waived, or otherwise ordered by the Court. See 28 U. S. C. 2412.
-
- 6. When costs are allowed in this Court, the Clerk shall insert an itemization of the costs
- in the body of the mandate or judgment sent to the court below. The prevailing side may
- not submit a bill of costs.
-
- 7. In extraordinary circumstances the Court may adjudge double costs.
-
- Rule 44. Rehearing
-
- 1. A petition for the rehearing of any judgment or decision of the Court on the merits
- shall be filed within 25 days after the entry of the judgment or decision, unless the time
- is shortened or extended by the Court or a Justice. The petitioner shall file 40 copies of
- the petition as required by Rule 33.1, and shall pay the filing fee prescribed by Rule 38,
- except that petitioners proceeding in forma pauperis under Rule 39, including inmates of
- institutions, may file the number of copies required for petitions by such persons under
- Rule 12.2. The petition shall be served as required by Rule 29. The petition shall state
- its grounds briefly and distinctly and shall be accompanied by certification of counsel (or
- of a party unrepresented by counsel) that it is presented in good faith and not for delay;
- one copy of the certificate shall bear the manuscript signature of counsel (or of a party
- unrepresented by counsel). A petition for rehearing is not subject to oral argument and
- will not be granted except at the instance of a Justice who concurred in the judgment or
- decision and with the concurrence of a majority of the Court.
-
- 2. A petition for the rehearing of an order denying a petition for a writ of certiorari or
- extraordinary writ shall be filed within 25 days after the date of the order of denial and
- shall comply with all the form and filing requirements of paragraph 1 of this Rule,
- including the payment of the filing fee if required, but its grounds shall be limited to
- intervening circumstances of a substantial or controlling effect or to other substantial
- grounds not previously presented. The petition shall be accompanied by certification of
- counsel (or of a party unrepresented by counsel) that it is restricted to the grounds
- specified in this paragraph and that it is presented in good faith and not for delay; one
- copy of the certificate shall bear the manuscript signature of counsel (or of a party
- unrepresented by counsel). A petition without a certificate shall not be filed by the Clerk.
- The petition is not subject to oral argument.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- The language added to Rule 44.1 clarifies the filing requirements for petitioners
- proceeding in forma pauperis and those petitioners who are inmates of institutions.
-
- Rule 44.2 is amended to conform to practice.
- Rule 44. Rehearing
-
- 3. No response to a petition for rehearing shall be filed unless requested by the Court.
- Absent extraordinary circumstances, no petition will be granted without an opportunity to
- submit a response.
-
- 4. No brief for an amicus curiae in support of, or in opposition to, a petition for rehearing
- shall be filed.
-
- 5. Consecutive petitions and petitions that are out of time under this Rule shall not be
- filed.
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
-
- The Rule 37.3 prohibition of amicus curiae briefs is repeated in Rule 44.4.
-
- In Rule 44.5, the term "received" was changed to "filed" to conform to practice.
- Rule 45. Process; Mandates
-
- 1. All process of this Court shall issue in the name of the President of the United States.
-
- 2. In a case on review from a state court, the mandate shall issue 25 days after the
- entry of judgment, unless the time is shortened or extended by the Court or a Justice, or
- unless the parties stipulate that it issue sooner. The filing of a petition for rehearing shall
- stay the mandate until disposition of the petition, unless otherwise ordered. If the petition
- is denied, the mandate will issue forthwith.
-
- 3. In a case on review from any court of the United States, as defined by 28 U. S. C.
- 451, a formal mandate will not issue unless specially directed; instead, the Clerk shall
- send the clerk of the lower court a copy of the opinion or order of this Court and a
- certified copy of the judgment. The certified copy of the judgment, prepared and signed
- by the Clerk, shall provide for costs, if any are awarded. In all other respects, the
- provisions of paragraph 2 of this Rule apply.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Rule 45.3 conforms to the practice followed in the Clerk's Office when preparing certified
- copies of judgments.
-
- Rule 46. Dismissing Cases
-
- 1. Whenever all parties, at any stage of the proceedings, file with the Clerk an
- agreement in writing that a case be dismissed, specifying the terms with respect to the
- payment of costs, and pay to the Clerk any fees that may be due, the Clerk, without
- further reference to the Court, shall enter an order of dismissal.
-
- 2. (a) A petitioner or appellant may file a motion to dismiss the case, with proof of
- service as required by Rule 29, and shall tender to the Clerk any fees and costs payable.
- An adverse party may, within 15 days after service thereof, file an objection, limited to the
- quantum of damages and costs in this Court alleged to be payable or, in a proper case,
- to showing that the moving party does not represent all petitioners or appellants. The
- Clerk shall refuse to receive any objection not so limited.
-
- (b) When the objection asserts that the moving party does not represent all the
- petitioners or appellants, the party moving for dismissal may file a reply within 10 days,
- after which time the matter shall be submitted to the Court for its determination.
-
- (c) If no objection is filed, or if upon objection going only to the quantum of damages
- and costs in this Court the party moving for dismissal tenders the whole of such additional
- damages and costs within 10 days of the demand therefor, the Clerk, without further
- reference to the Court, shall enter an order of dismissal. If, after objection as to the
- quantum of damages and costs in this Court, the moving party does not respond by a
- tender within 10 days, the Clerk shall report the matter to the Court for its determination.
-
- 3. No mandate or other process shall issue on a dismissal under this Rule without an
- order of the Court.
-
- Rule 47. Reference to "State Court" and "State Law"
-
- The term "state court," when used in these Rules, includes the District of Columbia
- Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. See 28
- U. S. C. 1257 and 1258. References in these Rules to the common law and statutes
- of a State include the common law and statutes of the District of Columbia and of the
- Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
-
- Rule 48. Effective Date of Rules
-
- 1. These Rules adopted , 1995, shall be effective , 1995.
-
- 2. The Rules govern all proceedings after their effective date except to the extent that,
- in the opinion of the Court, their application to a particular matter pending would not be
- feasible or would work injustice, in which event the former procedure applies.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- CLERK'S COMMENTS
-
- Rule 48 adds a saving measure to prevent proceedings pending on the Rules' effective
- date from working an injustice.
-