Rule 31 Standard for Granting

Sometimes a judge makes a ruling in the middle of a case, before the trial is over. If you disagree with that ruling, you normally have to wait until the whole case ends before you can appeal it. But in some situations, you can ask the Georgia Supreme Court to review it right away. This is called an interlocutory appeal.

The court will only agree to hear that early appeal in three situations. First, if the ruling could end the whole case on its own. Second, if the ruling appears to be wrong and could cause serious problems at trial. Third, if the case raises a legal question that the court wants to answer to guide future cases.

Getting permission for this kind of appeal is not easy. The court does not grant these requests often, so you need a strong reason that fits one of those three situations.