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 Clerk’s Office.
Appointments
Public Counsel's Appellate Self-Help Clinic provides procedural information and 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 most Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Clinic consultations are by appointment only.
Appointments for the Appellate Self-Help Clinic can be made by calling (213) 830-7234 on Thursdays from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., or until all available appointments are filled. Clinic staff will confirm appointments by telephone or e-mail no later than the close of business the next day (Friday). Appointments are for the following Wednesday.
Priority for appointments (but not a guarantee of an appointment) is given to the first ten callers who were not served in the Clinic during the preceding month. The available appointments almost always fill before 1:30 p.m.
Callers who do not receive an appointment confirmation by close of business on the Friday after their call do not have an appointment and will not be admitted to the Clinic.
Clinic location:
Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District
Ronald Reagan State Building
300 S. Spring Street
2nd Floor, North Tower
Los Angeles, CA 90013