Appeals and Procedure Flashcards

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1
Q

what is a ‘final judgment’?

A

same as federal practice - it is a judgment that determines the merits of the ENTIER case

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2
Q

how do you determine whether a judgment is final?

A

To determine whether an order is a final judgment, ask “after making the ruling”: Does the trial court have anything left to do on the merits of the case?

If the answer is “yes,” it is not a final judgment but rather an “interlocutory order.”

If the answer is “no,” the judgment is final.

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3
Q

if a court order is not a final judgment - what is it called?

A

an “interlocutory” order - and CANNOT BE APPEALED

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4
Q

is there a right to appeal final judgment?

A

yes! there is a right to appeal final judgmetns

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5
Q

is P wants to take a nonsuit and D does not object - is entry of the nonsuit appealable?

A

nope! it was without prejudice

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6
Q

what if P wants to take nonsuit, allowed ot by the court, but the D objects and argues that nonsuit was not proper under the circumstances. If the court enters the nonsuit - is the nonsuit a final judgment?

A

Yes, the defendant can appeal on whether nonsuit should have been granted. (because it is final on the merits of the whole case)

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7
Q

may a CIRCUIT court certify a pretrial interlocutory ruling for appeal to the appropriate appellate court?

A

Yes! a party must request such an order and the court must certify that:
(1) there is substantial ground for difference of opinion,

(2) there is no clear Virginia appellate precedent,

(3) a determination of the issue will be dispositive of a material aspect of the case, and

(4) the court and parties agree that it is in the parties’ best interest to seek interlocutory review.

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8
Q

how much time do the parties have to petition the court of appeals to hear a pretrial interlocutory ruling for appeal?

A

Within 15 days, the party petitions the court of appeals to hear the matter;

the court of appeals has discretion whether to do so

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9
Q

may ‘partial’ final judgments as to one party in a case involving multiple parties be appealable??

A

Yes! In cases involving multiple parties, a “partial final judgment” as to one may be appealable (even though it is not a final judgment for the whole case)

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10
Q

when can party in a case with multiple parties move for an appeal of a ‘partial final judgment’?

A

the loser on the ruling can appeal if these things are true:
(1) the trial court enters “partial final judgment” on the claim,

(2) the interests involved are separate and distinct from those remaining,

(3) results of appeal on the partial final judgment will not affect the decision in the remaining causes of action, and

(4) results of the remaining issues cannot affect disposition of the cause of action determined in the partial final judgment.

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11
Q

when can a case be appealed from the GDC to Circuit Court?

A

Final judgments which involve more than $20 can be appealed from GDC –> CIRCUIT COURT

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12
Q

what is the standard of review in circuit courts if they are hearing a case appealed from GDC?

A

The circuit court hears the case de novo.

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13
Q

when must a party move for an appeal from GDC –> CIRCUIT COURT?

A

The aggrieved party must file NOTICE of appeal in GDC no later than 10 days of entry of judgment.

Seeking a rehearing does not alter this timetable.

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14
Q

what else must a party moving to appeal a GDC case to Circuit Court do?

A

The party must post bond and pay writ tax and costs in GDC no later than 30 days of entry of judgment (10 days in unlawful detainer cases).

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15
Q

why about appeals from CIRCUIT COURT –> VA COURT OF APPEALS?

A

GENERALLY, there is a RIGHT to appeal final judgment of the CC in CIVIL cases involving $500 or more to the VA court of appeals

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16
Q

what is the timing of an appeal of right from CC –> court of appeals?

A

When the appeal is of right, the appellate must file a notice of appeal with the CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT, no later than 30 days after entry of judgment.

The time may be extended in the interest of justice.) The timely filing of this notice perfects the appeal. Post-trial motions do not extend this period.

17
Q

what else must a party do if seeking an appeal as of right from CC –> court of appeals?

A

Copies must be sent to all opposing counsel

18
Q

what must the notice of appeal contain in an appeal from CC —> Court of appeals?

A

The notice of appeal must state whether a transcript of the trial or statement of facts, testimony, and other incidents of the case will be filed.

19
Q

where else must the appellant file a copy of the notice of appeal?

A

The appellant files a copy of the notice of appeal with the court of appeals.

A filing fee is required at that time. If not paid then, the clerk will file the notice, but the fee must be paid within 10 days after that notice.

If the fee is not paid in that time, the appeal is dismissed.

20
Q

what is a ‘record’ on appeal?

A

A record on appeal consists of the documents and exhibits, instructions given and refused, the trial court orders, etc.

A transcript of the proceedings also may be included IF it is filed with the circuit court within 60 days.

Parties may object to the transcript. The clerk of the trial court prepares the record on appeal and sends it to the court of appeals.

in turn, the court of appeals sends a notice of filing of the record to all parties.

21
Q

what does the filing of the record in the court of appeals trigger?

A

The filing of the record triggers various further steps.

1) The appellant must file its OPENING BRIEF within 40 days of that filing. T

2) The appellee’s REPLY BRIEF is due 30 days after the opening brief.

3) The appellant may file a REPLY 14 days thereafter.

22
Q

what must the appellant’s opening brief contain?

A

the opening brief must contain:
(1) a statement of the nature of the case and proceedings at the circuit court and

(2) assignments of error with references to the record where the error was preserved.

The appellee’s brief can make additional assignments of error.

23
Q

are oral arguments allowed in appeals of right?

A

In appeals of right, oral argument will be permitted UNLESS the court of appeals unanimously agrees that oral argument is UNNECESSARY, either because (a) the appeal is without merit or (b) because clear precedent exists and the appellant has not argued that it should be reversed.

24
Q

what if an appeal is not as of right - but is discretionary?

A

A petition for appeal is used when the appeal is discretionary.

The time periods for filing vary depending on the type of case

25
Q

what about appeals from the Court of appeals —> the VA Supreme Court?

A

A person aggrieved by a final decision of the court of appeals MAY petition the Virginia Supreme Court for review.

Most appeals will be by petition, which the supreme court can grant or deny in its discretion.

There are some appeals that go from the circuit court directly to the supreme court, such as judgments of the State Corporation Commission. The supreme court has jurisdiction to issue writs of mandamus and prohibition.

26
Q

can some cases be appealable directly from circuit court to the VA Supreme Court?

A

There are some appeals that go from the circuit court directly to the supreme court, such as judgments of the State Corporation Commission.

27
Q

does the VA Supreme Court have to hear appeals by petition from the court of appeals?

A

Most appeals will be by petition, which the supreme court can grant or deny in its discretion.