Alabama Rules of Appellate Procedure – 2026
The Alabama Rules of Appellate Procedure govern appeals to the Supreme Court of Alabama and the Courts of Civil and Criminal Appeals, covering appealable judgments, the notice of appeal, stays pending appeal, the clerk's record and the reporter's transcript, briefs and oral argument, opinions and rehearing, certiorari review, costs, and electronic filing.
Browse all 67 rules of the 2026 edition below. Each rule includes the full text, a plain-English summary, committee notes, amendment history, and cross-references to related rules. Use the search box to find rules by keyword or number.
Rule 1
Scope of rules.
Rule 2
Penalties for noncompliance with these rules; suspension of rules.
Rule 3
Appeal as of right - How taken.
Rule 4
Appeal as of right - When taken.
Rule 5
Appeal by permission.
Rule 6
Omitted.
Rule 7
Security for costs on appeal in civil cases.
Rule 8
Stay or injunction pending appeal.
Rule 9
Release in criminal cases.
Rule 10
The record on appeal.
Rule 11
Completion and transmission of the record.
Rule 12
Docketing of the appeal; docket fee; filing of the record.
Rule 13
Transmission of original item from the trial court.
Rule 14
Use of recording devices.
Rule 15
Overruling cases.
Rule 16
Court sitting in divisions.
Rule 17
Duties of clerks.
Rule 18
Certified questions from federal courts.
Rule 19
Omitted.
Rule 20
Assignment of error not required.
Rule 21
Writs of mandamus and prohibition directed to a judge or judges and other extraordinary writs.
Rule 22
Appeals in habeas corpus.
Rule 23
Omitted.
Rule 24
Proceedings in forma pauperis.
Rule 25
Filing and service.
Rule 25A
Signing briefs, motions, and other papers; representations to court.
Rule 26
Computation and extension of time.
Rule 27
Motions.
Rule 28
Briefs.
Rule 28A
Supplemental Briefs on Return to Remand.
Rule 28B
Notice of Supplemental Authority.
Rule 29
Briefs of an amicus curiae.
Rule 30
Omitted.
Rule 31
Filing and service of briefs.
Rule 32
Form and length of briefs, petitions, motions, and other papers; noncompliance.
Rule 33
Prehearing conference.
Rule 33A
Appointment and use of appellate expert.
Rule 34
Oral argument.
Rule 35
Costs.
Rule 35A
Docket fees.
Rule 36
Copies of opinions and entry of judgment.
Rule 37
Interest on judgments.
Rule 38
Damages for frivolous appeal.
Rule 39
Petitions for writ of certiorari - Review of decisions of courts of appeal.
Rule 40
Applications for rehearing.
Rule 41
Issuance of certificate of judgment; stay of certificate of judgment.
Rule 42
Voluntary dismissal.
Rule 43
Substitution of parties.
Rule 44
Constitutional questions.
Rule 45
Error without injury.
Rule 45A
Scope of review in death cases.
Rule 45B
Scope of review in cases other than death cases.
Rule 46
Roll of attorneys.
Rule 47
Agreements in writing.
Rule 48
Contempt of court as penalty for willful noncompliance with these rules.
Rule 49
Title; effective date.
Rule 50
Forms.
Rule 51
Definitions.
Rule 52
Anonymity in appellate proceedings, opinions, and case styles.
Rule 53
Opinions and "No Opinion" Cases of the Supreme Court.
Rule 54
Opinions and "No Opinion" Cases of the Court of Civil Appeals and the Court of Criminal Appeals.
Rule 55
Appellate mediation.
Rule 56
Redaction of personal data identifiers in documents filed with the appellate courts.
Rule 57
Electronic Filing and Service.
Appendix II
Statutes and Rules Superseded
Appendix III
Statutes Modified
Appendix IV
Overview of Rules