Comments in Support of Proposed Changes to Local Rules 28.1.1 and 32.1 Concerning Word Limitations

SUMMARY

This report from the Federal Courts Committee responds to the Second Circuit’s Order of October 19, 2016 inviting comments on proposed changes to the Court’s Local Rule 28.1.1 and Local Rule 32.1 concerning word limitations in appellate briefs. The Committee on Federal Courts supports the proposed changes to Local Rules 28.1.1 and 32.1, and recommends a clarifying amendment to Local Rule 29.1. The effect of the Court’s proposed changes will be to maintain the current word limitations in Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure (“FRAP”) Rule 28.1(e) for cross-appeals and in Rule 32(a)(7) (effective December 1, 2015) for individual appeals.