How to Appeal a Court’s Decision in Connecticut?

The state of Connecticut provides a helpful handbook detailing the appeal process, requirements, and deadlines. However always consult your jurisdictional court for anything that you don't understand.

Deadlines

The general rule for filing is twenty days from the date the district court made its final ruling. This deadline is not exact for all cases and some can range from 72 hours to 14 days.

The Filing Process

All appeals must be filed online unless granted an exception. You can download the appeal form from the (www.jud.ct.gov) website. You must also pay a fee at the time of filing and include your receipt when filing.

You must include the following documents when you e-File your appeal:

• A statement of the case and the final result.
• A transcript order showing you have requested a copy of all trial documents.
• A docketing statement.
• A pre-argument conference statement.
• A constitutionality notice (civil cases only).
• A copy of the sealing order form (where applicable).

The appellee has only twenty days to file their responding paperwork. You must decide if you are filing only a Memorandum or Decision or you will also be presenting an oral argument in front of the judges.

Briefs

The filing and format requirements are particular, and if you do not comply, your appeal may be dismissed. Consult Chapter 67 of the Practice Book on the handbook for details about format-ting and content of the briefs.

The appellant must file their completed brief within 45 days of the “delivery date,” which is the date that the final order of the transcript is sent to the court reporter. The briefs submitted by both sides also must be filed electronically.

At the minimum the briefs need to contain the following elements:

• Table of Contents
• State of Issues
• Table of Authorities
• Statement of Facts
• Argument
• Conclusion
• The statement must also be signed.

Oral Arguments

You do have the option to present an oral argument if you choose. You are allotted only twenty minutes if the Supreme Court and only twenty minutes in appellate court.