Case details
The attorney's name, whether the attorney represents the appellant or the appellee, the case name, the docket number and the voucher number.
CJA 27
Compensation Claim in Excess of the Statutory Case Compensation Maximum (Court of Appeals)
- Agency
- U.S. Courts
- Revision
- Rev. 03/12
- Fillable fields
- 53
- Pages
- 2
- Official source
- U.S. Courts form page
- Checked
- October 20, 2026
CJA 27: Compensation Claim in Excess of the Case Compensation Maximum (Court of Appeals)
CJA 27, Compensation Claim in Excess of the Statutory Case Compensation Maximum (Court of Appeals), is a CJA form from the U.S. Courts, listed under Attorney Excess Compensation Claims. The PDF is dated Rev. 03/12 and is headed Supplemental Information Statement for a Compensation Claim in Excess of the Statutory Case Compensation Maximum: Court of Appeals. The U.S. Courts page lists it as effective on March 1, 2012.
The form says it provides information to support counsel's claim that the representation was in an extended or complex case and that the excess payment is necessary to provide fair compensation. It serves as counsel's memorandum required by section 230.30(b)(1) of the Guidelines for Administering the CJA and Related Statutes, Volume 7A, Guide to Judiciary Policy, and does not replace any other documentation required to support the payment request. Its two pages ask about the appeal, the briefs, rehearing and certiorari petitions, complexity, expenses and other circumstances, and end with the appointed attorney's signature.
This page explains the form in plain words and is not legal advice. You can fill it out free in your browser on this page and download the result without an account.
What's on CJA 27
Item 1: The appeal
Whether the appeal is from a guilty plea, a trial disposition, a habeas petition or other; the offenses and number of counts of conviction; the length of sentence; co-defendants before judgment and convicted; the transcript size in pages; other materials reviewed; and the number of trial days.
Items 2 and 3: Records and briefs
Whether the attorney represented the client in the district court and at trial, hours for obtaining and reviewing records, the length and number of issues of each brief, research and writing hours, and whether the case ended before briefing, was submitted on the briefs or had oral argument.
Items 4 and 5: Rehearing and certiorari
Who filed any petition for rehearing or suggestion for rehearing in banc, or any petition for writ of certiorari, with pages, number of issues, opposing briefs and the hours claimed. Counsel's certiorari documents are attached.
Items 6 and 7: Complexity
Boxes for complex legal issues, novel legal issues, a complex fact pattern and legal issues researched but not written, with their impact on the hours claimed, and whether any issues were briefed at the district court and what additional work that required.
Items 8 and 9: Expenses and other circumstances
An explanation of any expense greater than $500 (items 17 and 18 of the CJA 20 voucher) and any other noteworthy circumstances, such as the magnitude and importance of the case, the skill and judgment used, the nature of counsel's practice and any hardship from the representation, and time pressure.
How to fill out CJA 27
- 1
Fill in the case details
Enter the attorney name, mark appellant or appellee, and add the case name, docket number and voucher number at the top of the front page.
- 2
Describe the appeal and the record
Item 1 asks what the appeal is from, the convictions, the sentence, co-defendants, transcript size and trial days. Item 2 asks about representation in the district court and the hours spent on records.
- 3
Count the briefing work
Items 3 to 5 ask for page counts, numbers of issues and hours claimed for each brief, oral argument, rehearing petition and certiorari petition. The form says to attach counsel's certiorari documents.
- 4
Mark the complexity factors
Check any of the four factors in item 6 that apply and, if noteworthy, explain their impact on the hours claimed. Item 6 continues on the reverse side, followed by item 7 on issues briefed at the district court.
- 5
Explain expenses and other circumstances
Item 8 covers any expense greater than $500 from items 17 and 18 of the CJA 20 voucher. Item 9 lists four kinds of circumstances, (A) to (D), to include if applicable.
- 6
Attach sheets, sign and date
The form says to attach additional sheets of paper if extra space is needed. The appointed attorney signs and dates the bottom of the reverse side.
Why fill Form CJA 27 on indox
You get the real form, filled in a browser tab, with nothing standing between you and the finished PDF.
- Fill the form right in your browser, no software to install
- Free to fill and free to download, with no account
- The official blank straight from the U.S. Courts, not a copy someone retyped
- Works on a phone, tablet or computer
Where it goes, fees and limits
What it supports
The form says it serves as counsel's memorandum required by section 230.30(b)(1) of the Guidelines and does not replace any other documentation required to support the payment request. It does not print an address or a court office to send it to.
Fee
The form does not print a filing fee. Its only dollar figure is the $500 expense threshold in item 8.
Deadline
The form does not print a deadline.
Definitions
The form says section 230.23.40 of the Guidelines for Administering the CJA and Related Statutes, Volume 7A, Guide to Judiciary Policy, defines the terms "extended" and "complex" and suggests criteria for determining "fair compensation."
Format
The U.S. Courts page offers CJA 27 as a PDF. The PDF has Print, Save As and Reset buttons.
Related forms
CJA 27A
Guidance to Attorneys in Drafting the Memorandum for a Claim in Excess of the Case Compensation Maximum (Court of Appeals)
1 field, 1 page
CJA 20
Appointment of and Authority to Pay Court-Appointed Counsel
149 fields, 1 page
CJA 26
Statement for a Compensation Claim in Excess of the Statutory Case Compensation Maximum (District Court)
37 fields, 2 pages
CJA 26A
Guidance to Attorneys in Drafting the Memorandum for a Claim in Excess of the Case Compensation Maximum (District Court)
1 field, 1 page
Who completes CJA 27?
The form is completed and signed by the appointed attorney, not by the client or the public. It names these roles.
Official sources and the blank
Do it all with indox
No tool matches that search.
Questions about Form CJA 27
Who signs CJA 27?
The appointed attorney. The form has one signature line, labeled signature of appointed attorney, with a date.
Does CJA 27 replace other payment paperwork?
No. The form says it serves as counsel's memorandum required by section 230.30(b)(1) of the Guidelines and does not replace any other documentation required to support the payment request.
Where are "extended" and "complex" defined?
The form says section 230.23.40 of the Guidelines for Administering the CJA and Related Statutes, Volume 7A, Guide to Judiciary Policy, defines both terms. The U.S. Courts also list CJA 27A, guidance to attorneys drafting this memorandum for the court of appeals.
Is there a version for district court claims?
The U.S. Courts forms list includes CJA 26, a statement for a compensation claim in excess of the statutory case compensation maximum in the district court. CJA 27 is headed for the court of appeals.
Which expenses need an explanation?
Item 8 asks to explain any expense greater than $500 and points to items 17 and 18 of the CJA 20 voucher.
What if the answers do not fit on the form?
The form says to attach additional sheets of paper if extra space is needed.
Is this page legal advice?
No. This page explains the form in plain words. The form points to the Guidelines for Administering the CJA and Related Statutes for the terms it uses.