The Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District, based on the number of counties within its jurisdiction, is the state's largest intermediate appellate court, and is located in its own courthouse in downtown Kansas City. The courthouse, built in 1982, besides being well known for its outstanding architecture and beauty, is unique in that it is the state's only intermediate appellate courthouse. 

The Court is composed of eleven judges and handles approximately forty percent of the intermediate appellate caseload in Missouri, with jurisdiction covering forty-five counties. Its jurisdiction included Jefferson City, the state capital, from where many administrative and judicial decisions that affect the administration of state government originate. 

Oral arguments are normally conducted in Kansas City, but are also routinely conducted in Jefferson City, Columbia, St. Joseph, Kirksville and at other locations within the Western District.