Rules of Appellate Procedure – 2026
The Rules of Appellate Procedure, Set 12. Most appeals go to the Court of Appeals; the Supreme Court takes direct appeals where a sentence of death or life imprisonment was imposed, appeals from the Public Regulation Commission, and appeals from the granting of habeas corpus. Since 2023, on-record Metropolitan Court appeals go directly to the Court of Appeals rather than through district court.
Browse all 68 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.
ARTICLE 1 Applicability of Rules; Jurisdiction
ARTICLE 2 Appeals from District Court
Rule 12-201
Appeal as of right; when taken.
Rule 12-202
Appeal as of right; how taken.
Rule 12-203
Interlocutory appeals.
Rule 12-203A
Recompiled.
Rule 12-203.1
Appeals to the Court of Appeals from orders granting or denying class action certification.
Rule 12-204
Expedited appeals from orders regarding release or detention entered prior to a judgment of conviction.
Rule 12-205
Release pending appeal in criminal matters.
Rule 12-206
Stay pending appeal in children's court matters.
Rule 12-206A
Recompiled.
Rule 12-206.1
Expedited appeals from children’s court custody hearings.
Rule 12-207
Supersedeas and stay in civil matters.
Rule 12-207.1
Expedited appeals from orders regarding assisted outpatient treatment.
Rule 12-208
Docketing the appeal.
Rule 12-209
The record proper (the court file).
Rule 12-210
Calendar assignments for direct appeals.
Rule 12-211
Transcript of proceedings.
Rule 12-212
Exhibits and depositions; general calendar cases.
Rule 12-213
Recompiled.
Rule 12-214
Recompiled.
Rule 12-215
Recompiled.
Rule 12-216
Recompiled.
ARTICLE 3 General Provisions
Rule 12-301
Parties and substitution.
Rule 12-302
Appearance, withdrawal, or substitution of attorneys; changes of address or telephone number.
Rule 12-303
Appointment of counsel.
Rule 12-304
Free process on appeal.
Rule 12-305
Form of papers prepared by parties.
Rule 12-305.1
Form of transcripts of proceedings and records proper.
Rule 12-306
Number of copies of papers.
Rule 12-307
Service and filing of papers.
Rule 12-307.1
Filing and service by facsimile.
Rule 12-307.2
Electronic service and filing of papers.
Rule 12-308
Time.
Rule 12-309
Motions.
Rule 12-310
Duties of clerks.
Rule 12-311
Process.
Rule 12-312
Failure to comply with rules.
Rule 12-313
Mediation.
Rule 12-314
Public inspection and sealing of court records.
Rule 12-315
Court Interpreters.
Rule 12-316
Bankruptcy proceedings; stays.
Rule 12-317
Joint or consolidated appeals.
Rule 12-318
Briefs.
Rule 12-319
Oral argument.
Rule 12-320
Amicus curiae.
Rule 12-321
Scope of review; preservation.
Rule 12-322
Courtroom closure.
ARTICLE 4 Disposition
ARTICLE 5 Writs
Rule 12-501
Certiorari from the Supreme Court to the district court regarding denial of habeas corpus.
Rule 12-502
Certiorari from the Supreme Court to the Court of Appeals.
Rule 12-503
Writs of error.
Rule 12-504
Other extraordinary writs from the Supreme Court.
Rule 12-505
Certiorari from the Court of Appeals regarding district court review of administrative decisions.
ARTICLE 6 Special Proceedings
Rule 12-601
Direct appeals from administrative decisions where the right to appeal is provided by statute.
Rule 12-602
Appeals from a judgment of criminal contempt of the Court of Appeals.
Rule 12-603
Appeals to the Supreme Court in actions challenging candidacies or nominating petitions; primary or general elections; school board recalls and recalls of elected county officials.
Rule 12-604
Proceedings for removal of public officials within the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
Rule 12-605
Withdrawn.
Rule 12-606
Certification and transfer from the Court of Appeals to the Supreme Court.
Rule 12-607
Certification from other courts to the Supreme Court.
Rule 12-608
Certification from the district court to the Court of Appeals.
Rule 12-610
Expungement.