Ohio Rules of Appellate Procedure – 2026
The Ohio Rules of Appellate Procedure govern appeals in Ohio courts of appeals. They cover how to file an appeal, prepare briefs, and present oral arguments.
Browse all 35 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.
Title I: Applicability of Rules
Title II: Appeals from Judgments and Orders of Court of Record
Rule 3
Appeal as of Right – How Taken
Rule 4
Appeal as of Right – When Taken
Rule 5
Appeals by Leave of Court in Criminal Cases
Rule 6
Concurrent Jurisdiction in Criminal Actions
Rule 7
Stay or Injunction Pending Appeal--Civil and Juvenile Actions
Rule 8
Bail and Suspension of Execution of Sentence in Criminal Cases
Rule 9
The Record on Appeal
Rule 10
Transmission of the Record
Rule 11
Docketing the Appeal; Filing of the Record
Rule 11.1
Accelerated Calendar
Rule 11.2
Expedited Appeals
Rule 12
Determination and Judgment on Appeal
Title III: General Provisions
Rule 13
Filing and Service
Rule 14
Computation and Extension of Time
Rule 15
Motions
Rule 16
Briefs
Rule 17
Brief of an Amicus Curiae
Rule 18
Filing and Service of Briefs
Rule 19
Form of Briefs and Other Papers
Rule 20
Prehearing Conference
Rule 21
Oral Argument
Rule 22
Entry of Judgment
Rule 23
Damages for Delay
Rule 24
Costs
Rule 25
Motion to certify a conflict
Rule 27
Execution, Mandate
Rule 28
Voluntary Dismissal
Rule 29
Substitution of Parties
Rule 30
Duties of Clerks
Rule 34
Appointment of Magistrates
Rule 41
Rules of Courts of Appeals
Rule 42
Title
Rule 43
Effective Date
Frequently Asked Questions
What do the Ohio Rules of Appellate Procedure cover?
These 35 rules govern how appeals are handled in Ohio's courts of appeals, covering everything from how to file a notice of appeal to how briefs must be prepared and how oral arguments are conducted. They apply any time a party wants to challenge a lower court's decision in an Ohio appellate court. If you are involved in an Ohio appeal, whether civil or criminal, these rules set the procedures you need to follow.
How do the Ohio Rules of Appellate Procedure differ from the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure?
The Ohio Rules of Appellate Procedure (cited as Ohio App.R.) apply specifically to Ohio's state courts of appeals, while the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure govern appeals in the U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals. Although the two sets of rules share a similar structure, they differ in deadlines, formatting requirements, and filing procedures, so it is important to confirm which court you are in before relying on either set of rules.
Where in the Ohio Rules of Appellate Procedure can I find the rules about filing briefs?
The briefing requirements are addressed in Rules 16 through 19, which cover what must be included in appellant and appellee briefs, reply briefs, and the format and length of those documents. Rule 16 outlines the required content of each brief, while Rules 18 and 19 address filing deadlines and page or word limits. Checking these rules first will give you a solid picture of what Ohio appellate courts expect from submitted briefs.