APPELLATE BRIEF- RBC INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILING   

   1. You must file timely. A continuance of 30 days is possible.
  2. Try to follow the FRAP (Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure) as to form, 
style of papers, font size, etc… as best as you can. Pro se litigants have some 
leeway on format but not much.
  3. As a pro se litigant, you must file at least seven copies of the appellate brief
 and the appendix/record excerpt with the clerk’s office at the court of 
appeals. Retained lawyers must file 30 or more copies.
  4. You must send at least one copy to opposing counsel. You need to send one copy 
to RBC and one copy to the typist.
  5. The appellate brief must have a blue cover and the appendix/record of excerpts
 must have a white cover. The copy shops are experienced in publishing briefs 
and can help you a great deal.
  6. The bindings can be made many ways, taped, spiral bound, drilled, etc. You and 
the copy shop work that out. RBC generally uses the spiral binding on the left
 side. Most circuit courts allow you to use the same binding for the
 appeal brief and the appendix, but the 11th Circuit wants the record excerpts 
to be bound at the top.
  7. Depending on your binding or folder, the front cover is card stock or something 
heavier than regular paper. The color of the cover is very important, 
otherwise you have some tolerance.
  8. You must file at least one original, which means an original signature by you in
 dark blue or black ink on one copy. You can carry the final draft to the 
print shop after you sign, but then you must resign at least one copy. Or 
you can carry the final draft to the copy store unsigned and then sign all 
seven copies.

 You must also sign the appendix in the same manner. If you file form 6 or any other certificate, 
you must sign this too.

  9. You do not need to have this signed by anybody else or notorized.