Self Help Resources
California Appeals Process - Plain and Simple
This guide can help you understand what happens when a party who loses in the superior or trial court appeals the decision.
Here you can learn about every step of an appeal and find general information about the requirements for all parties. This includes the basic rules and fees, plus important forms and deadlines.
More Resources Provided by Second Appellate District
For Attorneys and Self-Represented Litigants
- Basic Civil Appellate Practice (Prepared by the Appellate Courts Committee of the Los Angeles County Bar Association)
- Civil Appeals: Find resources for appealing your civil case.
For Self-Represented Litigants
Self-represented litigants that take advantage of these resources generally feel more comfortable vis-a-vis the appellate process by knowing ahead of time what to expect.
- Civil Appellate Practices and Procedures for the Self-Represented (for the Second Appellate District)
- California Courts Online Self-Help Center (Prepared by the Judicial Council of California)
- Pro Bono Project
A pilot program looking into offering representation in a limited range of cases to indigent litigants who are without the assistance of counsel. - Free Self-Help Clinic for Indigent Civil Litigants
The Clinic is open by appointment only. Located on the Second Floor of the North Tower of the Ronald Reagan State Building, across from the Clerkâs Office.
Appointments
Public Counsel's Appellate Self-Help Clinic provides general legal information and procedural assistance to people who are representing themselves in appeals pending in the Second District Court of Appeal and the Appellate Division of any Superior Court within the Second District.
The Appellate Self-Help Clinic is open every week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Clinic consultations are scheduled by appointment only between 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Consultations are available in person, via video conference, or by telephone, as appropriate.
Appointments for the Appellate Self-Help Clinic can be requested by calling (213) 830-7234 on Wednesdays beginning at 8:00 a.m. and continuing until all available appointments have been filled--almost always before noon. Appointments are for the following Tueday, Wednesday, or Thursday.
Clinic staff will notify successful and wait-listed callers by telephone or e-mail, usually by close of business on Friday. Callers who do not receive an appointment confirmation or wait-list notification by close of business on the Monday after their call do not have an appointment and will not be admitted to the Clinic; however, they are encouraged to call again.
Clinic location:
Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District
Ronald Reagan State Building
300 S. Spring Street
2nd Floor, North Tower
Los Angeles, CA 90013
rev. 4-12-22