The article discusses the Federal Circuit's case output distribution between 2000 and 2024, revealing that 44% of cases result in Non-Precedential Opinions, which lack significant precedential value. Additionally, 38% are classified as "No Opinion (R.36)," which signifies summary affirmances without written explanations. In contrast, only 18% are categorized as Precedential Opinions—those with binding effects on future cases. Notably, while other federal appellate courts provide some explanations in their rulings, the Federal Circuit offers no commentary, simply issuing judgments, thus impacting legal predictability.
The plurality of cases, 44%, resulted in a Non-Precedential Opinion, indicating a substantial volume of decisions with limited precedential impact.
These are cases where the court issued a summary affirmance of a lower tribunal holding without any written explanation, representing 38% of outcomes.
The final segment, 18% of dispositions, represent cases with Precedential Opinion, highlighting the court's selection of cases deemed to warrant formal published opinions.
Other federal appellate courts provide at least a brief explanation of the ruling and its justification, unlike the Federal Circuit's No Opinion approach.
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