Fill out civil appeal forms
with AI.
Civil appeal forms are the official documents used to initiate and manage the process of challenging a court's decision at a higher level. These forms serve a critical function: they establish the formal record that an appellate court will review, identify the specific documents and evidence relevant to the case, and ensure all parties are properly notified. Whether you're contesting a judgment in a local justice court or filing a notice with a national tribunal, getting these forms right is essential — errors or omissions can delay proceedings or even result in an appeal being dismissed.
By continuing, you acknowledge Instafill's Privacy Policy and agree to get occasional product update and promotional emails.
About civil appeal forms
People who typically need these forms include individuals, attorneys, and businesses who believe a lower court made a legal or procedural error in a civil case. For example, someone appealing a civil ruling in Maricopa County, Arizona, would need to file a Designation of Record on Appeal to specify which case materials the appellate court should consider. Similarly, those appealing decisions through HM Courts & Tribunals Service in England and Wales would use Form N161, the Appellant's Notice, to formally begin that process and outline the grounds for appeal.
Because these forms require precise information and must be completed carefully, tools like Instafill.ai use AI to fill them out accurately in under 30 seconds, reducing the risk of mistakes and saving significant time for anyone navigating the appeals process.
Forms in This Category
- Enterprise-grade security & data encryption
- 99%+ accuracy powered by AI
- 1,000+ forms from all industries
- Complete forms in under 60 seconds
How to Choose the Right Form
Choosing the right civil appeal form depends on where your case is being heard and what stage of the appeal process you're in.
Starting an Appeal
If you need to formally initiate an appeal, you'll want Form N161 (Appellant's Notice). This is the form used in England and Wales (HM Courts & Tribunals Service) to kick off most civil appeals — excluding small claims track appeals and Family Division appeals. It captures the order being appealed, grounds of appeal, permission-to-appeal details, and any related applications like a stay or time extension.
Specifying What the Court Will Review
If your appeal is already underway and you need to tell the court which documents, transcripts, and exhibits should be included in the appellate record, use the Designation of Record on Appeal (Civil) (Form APP 8150-702). This form is specific to Maricopa County Justice Courts in Arizona and ensures the reviewing court receives exactly the right materials — no more, no less. It also includes a certificate of delivery to confirm other parties were properly served.
Quick Decision Guide
- Filing in England or Wales? → Use Form N161
- Filing in Maricopa County, Arizona? → Use Form APP 8150-702
- Need to start your appeal? → Use Form N161
- Need to identify the documents for an existing appeal? → Use Form APP 8150-702
Key Takeaway
These two forms serve different jurisdictions and different purposes — one launches an appeal, the other defines its documentary foundation. Make sure you've matched the form to both your location and your current step in the appeals process before filing.
Form Comparison
| Form | Purpose | Who Files It | When to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Designation of Record on Appeal (Civil) (Maricopa County Justice Courts, Arizona) (Form APP 8150-702) | Identifies documents forming the appellate record | Appellant or appellee in Arizona civil appeal | After filing a civil appeal in Maricopa County Justice Court |
| Form N161, Appellant's notice (All appeals except small claims track appeals and appeals to the Family Division of the High Court) | Commences an appeal and submits key case details to court | Appellant initiating an appeal in England and Wales | When filing a civil appeal with UK HM Courts & Tribunals Service |
Tips for civil appeal forms
Before filling out any civil appeal form, compile a complete list of all pleadings, orders, transcripts, and exhibits you intend to include in the appellate record. Missing a key document at this stage can weaken your appeal or cause delays. Having everything organized upfront makes the form-filling process much smoother.
Civil appeal forms vary significantly by jurisdiction — a Maricopa County Justice Court form is not interchangeable with a UK HM Courts & Tribunals Service form. Always confirm you are using the correct, current version of the form for your specific court. Filing the wrong form can result in rejection or missed deadlines.
Many appellants forget to attach their written grounds of appeal or skeleton argument alongside the notice form, which is a common reason for delays or rejection. Review the form's checklist or requirements section carefully before submission. Treat the checklist as mandatory, not optional.
Civil appeal forms typically require a certificate of service or delivery confirming that all other parties have been notified. Complete this section accurately and retain copies of your proof of service, such as mailing receipts or email confirmations. Failure to properly serve other parties can jeopardize your appeal.
AI-powered tools like Instafill.ai can complete civil appeal forms quickly and accurately, saving you significant time — especially when dealing with multiple forms across different jurisdictions. Your data stays secure throughout the process, making it a practical choice for both self-represented litigants and legal professionals. Instafill.ai can also convert non-fillable PDFs into interactive forms, removing a common frustration.
When identifying the order or judgment you are appealing, include the exact date, the judge's name, and the precise nature of the order. Vague or incomplete descriptions can cause the appeal court to request clarification, slowing down the process. Cross-reference the original court document to ensure accuracy.
Some civil appeals require you to seek permission before the appeal can proceed, and this information must be reflected on the form itself. Research whether permission is needed in your jurisdiction before completing the form, as this affects which sections you fill out. Applying for permission at the wrong stage can cost valuable time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Civil appeal forms are official court documents used to initiate or support an appeal of a civil court decision. They help appellants formally notify the appeal court of their intent to challenge a ruling, identify the relevant case materials, and provide the information needed for the reviewing court to evaluate the appeal.
This category includes two forms: the Designation of Record on Appeal (Civil) (Form APP 8150-702) for Maricopa County Justice Courts in Arizona, and Form N161 (Appellant's Notice) used by HM Courts & Tribunals Service in England and Wales. Each form serves a different jurisdiction and stage of the appeals process.
The right form depends on your jurisdiction and the nature of your appeal. If you are appealing a civil case in a Maricopa County Justice Court in Arizona, you would use the Designation of Record on Appeal (Form APP 8150-702). If you are filing an appeal in England or Wales through HM Courts & Tribunals Service (excluding small claims track and Family Division appeals), you would use Form N161.
The Designation of Record on Appeal identifies the specific documents — such as pleadings, orders, transcripts, and exhibits — that will form the appellate record. It ensures the reviewing court receives exactly the materials needed to evaluate the issues being appealed, preventing both omissions and unnecessary inclusions.
Form N161 requires details about the case, the order being appealed, permission-to-appeal status, and any related applications such as a stay of proceedings or an extension of time. It also requires confirmation that grounds of appeal and any supporting documents are attached or will be filed, along with a statement of truth.
Civil appeal forms generally must be filed within a specific time limit after the original court decision, which varies by jurisdiction and court rules. It is important to check the applicable procedural rules or consult a legal professional to ensure you meet the filing deadline, as late submissions may result in your appeal being dismissed.
The Designation of Record on Appeal (Form APP 8150-702) is submitted to the relevant Maricopa County Justice Court in Arizona. Form N161 is filed with the appropriate appeal court as directed by HM Courts & Tribunals Service in England and Wales. Always verify the specific submission location with the court handling your case.
Yes, in most cases you are required to serve copies of your appeal documents on the other parties involved in the case. For example, the Designation of Record on Appeal includes a certificate of delivery/mailing to confirm that other parties have been served. Always follow the service requirements outlined by the relevant court's procedural rules.
Yes, AI-powered tools like Instafill.ai can fill out civil appeal forms in under 30 seconds by accurately extracting and placing data from your source documents. Instafill.ai can also convert non-fillable PDF versions of these forms into interactive fillable forms, making the process faster and reducing the risk of errors.
Filling out civil appeal forms manually can take anywhere from 20 minutes to over an hour, depending on the complexity of the form and the information required. Using AI tools like Instafill.ai, the same forms can be completed in under 30 seconds by automatically extracting relevant data from supporting documents.
Before filling out a civil appeal form, you should gather the original court order or judgment being appealed, case reference numbers, details of all parties involved, and any transcripts, exhibits, or pleadings you intend to include in the appellate record. Having these materials on hand will help ensure your form is complete and accurate.
While it is not always legally required to have a lawyer, civil appeals can be procedurally complex, and errors in completing or filing these forms can affect whether your appeal is accepted. Consulting a legal professional is strongly recommended, especially for understanding grounds of appeal, deadlines, and the correct documents to include.
Glossary
- Appellant
- The party who lost in the lower court and is filing the appeal to have the decision reviewed by a higher court.
- Appellate Record
- The complete collection of documents, transcripts, and evidence from the original trial that is sent to the appeals court so it can review what happened in the lower court.
- Grounds of Appeal
- The specific legal reasons why the appellant believes the lower court's decision was wrong, which must be clearly stated when filing an appeal.
- Permission to Appeal (Leave to Appeal)
- Formal approval from a court that must be obtained before certain appeals can proceed; not all appeals require this, but many courts require the appellant to show the appeal has a realistic chance of success.
- Designation of Record
- A document filed by a party that lists exactly which items from the trial court—such as pleadings, orders, exhibits, and transcripts—should be included in the appellate record sent to the reviewing court.
- Stay of Proceedings
- A court order that temporarily pauses enforcement of the lower court's judgment while the appeal is pending, often requested at the same time as filing the appeal.
- Skeleton Argument
- A concise written summary of the key legal arguments and authorities a party intends to rely on during the appeal hearing, typically required to be filed in advance.
- Statement of Truth
- A declaration signed by the appellant or their legal representative confirming that the facts and information stated in the appeal form are true to the best of their knowledge.
- Certificate of Delivery/Mailing (Service)
- A section of a court form where the filer confirms that copies of the filed documents have been sent to all other parties involved in the case, as required by court rules.
- HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS)
- The government agency in England and Wales responsible for administering the courts and tribunals system, including producing official court forms such as Form N161.