The Sixth Circuit has a longstanding reputation for having lots of dissents and concurrences. We analyzed the last three years of opinions and found that the Sixth and D.C. Circuit have about twice the average number of dissents and concurrences opinions per case than other circuits. Partisan and ideological differences account for some dissents, in … Continue Reading
We’ve posted previously about the proposal to reduce the word limit for federal appellate briefs from 14,000 to 12,500 words, explaining that the reduced limit would probably not be a problem in most cases, but might pose a formidable obstacle to more complex or record-intensive appeals. Now, data from the Eighth Circuit indicates that, even … Continue Reading
Last Friday, the D.C. Circuit heard oral arguments in yet another lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the mandate requiring individuals to purchase health insurance under the recently enacted Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Public Law 111-148. See Seven-Sky v. Holder (D.C. Circuit, Case No. 11-5047). This is the fourth challenge to the individual mandate … Continue Reading