A Joint Appendix typically refers to a submission of legal documents in support of a brief to a federal court of appeals or the Supreme Court.
Description
When a petition for writ of certiorari is granted by the Supreme Court of the United States, a Joint Appendix must be prepared. See Supreme Court Rule 26. The Joint Appendix, commonly called the JA, accompanies the Petitioner's Merits Brief.
The Joint Appendix allows the Supreme Court ease of access to relevant portions of the record below. Similar to a merits brief, the Supreme Court requires a booklet-formatted and printed Joint Appendix. A Joint Appendix usually contains: 1) a table of contents; 2) relevant docket entries in the courts below; and 3) relevant pleadings, jury instruction, findings, conclusions, opinions or the judgment under review. Rule 26.1.