Appeal Stage

About the Appeal Stage

When necessary, the appeal stage is the final step in the litigation process. It begins when the party that loses at trial asks a higher court to review a judge’s decision. The party filing the appeal is called an appellant or petitioner, and the party that won in the lower court is the appellee or respondent. These parties make their arguments to the appellate court through a series of briefs.

Things to know about appeals

Nothing kills an appeal faster than a missed due date. Be sure every document is on time, from the Notice of Appeal (where required) to your final brief. Proper formatting of briefs is also important. Appellate courts are strict about font sizes, page limits, and items that must be included in your documents. To be successful at this stage, do your research. Know the rules of appellate procedure in your jurisdiction.

Courtroom5 can help

Use the litigation tools in Courtroom5 to create your own formatted documents for appellate briefs and certiorari petitions. Learn to navigate the litigation process, store filings online, and more.

Not ready for Courtroom5 yet?

Try our free resources. View and download samples of appellate briefs and notices in PDF format. Use the our guided templates (in .docx format) to type professional briefs and motions.

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