Filing a Notice of Appeal in Los Angeles County

Court of Appeal Matters Begin in the Trial Court

For a civil appeal within Court of Appeal jurisdiction, the notice of appeal is filed in the Superior Court whose judgment or appealable order is being challenged. The Superior Court then performs the trial-court functions associated with initiating the appeal and preparing the record.

For Los Angeles unlimited civil matters, the eventual reviewing court is ordinarily the California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District.

Los Angeles Appeals Before the Second Appellate District

Unlimited Civil Appeals

Judicial Council appellate forms provide the statewide notice-of-appeal framework for unlimited civil cases. Los Angeles Superior Court's Civil Unlimited Appeals operation handles unlimited-jurisdiction civil, family, and probate appeals proceeding to the Second District.

• California Judicial Branch — Unlimited Civil Appellate FormsJudicial Council of California selfhelp.courts.ca.gov
• Los Angeles Superior Court — Appellate Division and Appeals Division DirectorySuperior Court of California, County of Los Angeles lacourt.ca.gov

Appellate Division Notices of Appeal

Limited civil, misdemeanor, and infraction appeals generally proceed to the Appellate Division of the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles.

Current Los Angeles Local Rule 9.3 contains Los Angeles-specific notice-of-appeal provisions. Among other things, it addresses where notices may be submitted and how filing fees and fee-waiver requests are handled. Limited civil notices are subject to the court's current electronic-filing requirements, while the rule identifies alternative filing locations for filers who are exempt from mandatory e-filing.

• Los Angeles Superior Court — Chapter 9 Appellate Division RulesSuperior Court of California, County of Los Angeles lacourt.ca.gov

Los Angeles Superior Court Appellate Division

Electronic Filing Is Not the Same in Every Appellate Path

Los Angeles Superior Court Appellate Division filings are governed by the Superior Court's local e-filing rules. Filings made later in a Second District Court of Appeal proceeding are governed by the reviewing court's e-filing system and requirements.

The fact that both proceedings are appellate does not mean they use the same filing system.

• Los Angeles Superior Court — Appellate E-FilingSuperior Court of California, County of Los Angeles lacourt.ca.gov
• Second Appellate District — Electronic FilingCalifornia Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District appellate.courts.ca.gov

Filing Time Requires Case-Specific Analysis

The time for filing a notice of appeal is governed by the current rules applicable to the particular case and can depend upon the judgment or order, service and entry of relevant documents, postjudgment proceedings, and other procedural circumstances.

This site therefore does not publish a universal numerical appeal deadline.

Using this website or submitting a conflict check does not create an attorney-client relationship and does not extend, suspend, stay, or otherwise affect any legal, trial-court, appellate, or other deadline or proceeding.

Filing the Notice Does Not Complete the Appeal

After the notice is filed, attention turns to the appellate record and the procedures of the reviewing court.

• Preparing the Appellate Record in Los Angeles County
• Clerk's and Reporter's Transcripts in Los Angeles County
• Los Angeles Appellate Forms and Court Resources