6 Cir. R. 28: Briefs
Rules and Internal Operating Procedures of the Sixth Circuit — Title VII. General Provisions
(a) References to the Record. A brief must direct the court to the parts of the record it refers to.
(1) District Court Appeals. In an appeal from the district court, a brief must cite the “Page ID #” shown on the header or footer of the page(s) of the original record being referenced, along with a brief title and the record entry number of the document referenced. It is the responsibility of counsel to ensure that all documents referred to in the addendum provided for in 6 Cir. R. 30(g) have either been filed initially in digital format in the district court by way of ECF or, if not, have been scanned into digital format and then filed in the record in that format so that they bear the “Page ID #” designation referred to above. Counsel's failure to do so may result in rejection of the brief. The description of relevant district court documents in the addendum shall include (i) a brief description of the document, (ii) the docket entry number of the document, and (iii) the “Page ID #” range for the relevant pages.
(2) Other Appeals - References to the Record. If there is an appendix or consecutively-numbered administrative record, the brief must also refer to the page number of the appendix or administrative record. For example, the brief should refer to “Record [or Appendix], pp. 69-70.” Suitable abbreviations in these record references are acceptable.
(b) Additional Contents. The requirements of this subrule (b) are in addition to those in Fed. R. App. P. 28(a) and (b).
(1) Principal Briefs.
(A) Required Contents. Each principal brief must include:
(i) Designation of Relevant Lower Court Documents. A designation of relevant documents from the lower court record shall be included in an addendum to the brief; 6 Cir. R. 30(g)(1).
(ii) Designation of Record Items in Immigration Review Petitions.
In cases where the government files the administrative record under 6 Cir. R. 30(f)(2), a designation of relevant record items under 6 Cir. R. 30(g)(2).
(B) Permitted Contents. A principal brief may include - before the jurisdictional statement - a statement of reasons why the court should hear oral argument under 6 Cir. R. 34(a).
(2) Unpublished Dispositions. When Fed. R. App. P. 32.1(b) or 6 Cir. R. 32.1(a) requires copies of unpublished opinions, the party must include the copies as an addendum to the brief.
(c) Attachments. A party may not attach documents to an electronically filed brief that are in an electronic record on appeal or are in a permitted appendix.
(d) Briefs as Public Record. Briefs filed with the court are public records. A brief that refers to sealed information is not automatically sealed. A party seeking to have a brief sealed in whole or in part must file a motion seeking such relief.