Table of Contents. I. Introduction...1. II. Who May Appeal: Standing...3. III. What May Be Appealed...9

Transcription

1 Table of Contents I. Introduction...1 II. Who May Appeal: Standing...3 III. What May Be Appealed...9 A. Final Orders or Judgments...10 B. Collateral Orders...16 C. Interlocutory Orders Appeals of Interlocutory Orders from the Bankruptcy Court Appeals of Interlocutory Orders to the Courts of Appeals Procedures for Interlocutory Appeals...22 D. Discretionary Direct Appeals to the Courts of Appeals...23 E. Appeals of Remands to State Courts...26 F. Appeals of Abstention Orders...26 IV. Time Limits and Processing of Appeal Issues...29 A. Appeals from the Bankruptcy Court to the District Court or BAP The Notice of Appeal Tolling the Deadline to File a Notice of Appeal The Election to Proceed Before the District Court The Statement of Issues and Designation of the Record The Briefs...35 Winning Your Bankruptcy Appeal, Second Edition xi

2 6. The Impact of Late-Filed Items Motions for Rehearing...37 B. Appeals to the Courts of Appeals Commencing the Appeal The Briefing Schedule Certification for Direct Appeals Petition for Leave to Take Direct Appeal...39 V. Forums...41 A. Appeals from the Bankruptcy Court The District Court The BAP...43 B. Appeals to the Courts of Appeals...45 VI. Standard of Review...49 A. Generally...49 B. Factual Findings and Legal Conclusions Factual Findings Questions of Law...51 C. Mixed Questions of Law and Fact...52 D. Discretionary Determinations...54 E. Review of Agency Determinations...56 F. Harmless Error...57 G. Deference to Court s Interpretation of Its Own Order...57 VII. Obstacles to a Successful Appeal...59 A. Mootness Generally...59 xii ABI s Bankruptcy Appeals Manual

3 B. Statutory Mootness...60 C. Equitable Mootness...63 D. Mootness and Stays Pending Appeals...66 E. Mootness and Substantial Consummation...68 F. Dismissal When the Rights of Third Parties Not Before the Court Have Intervened...72 G. Exceptions to Mootness Dismissals...72 VIII. Motion Practice...75 A. Appellate Motions, Generally...75 B. Motions for Leave to Appeal Interlocutory Order...76 C. Motions to Dismiss an Appeal...76 D. Motions to Extend Time to File Briefs...77 E. Motions for Certification for Direct Appeal...77 F. Motions for In Forma Pauperis Status and Public Funding of Transcript...78 G. Motions to Remand Case Back to Lower Court for Limited Purpose...78 H. Emergency Motions...79 I. Motions for Sanctions for Frivolous Appeals...79 J. Motions to Extend Time to Appeal...80 K. Motions for Rehearing...80 L. Writs of Mandamus...81 M. Motions for a Stay Pending Appeal, Generally...82 N. Stays under Bankruptcy Rule Winning Your Bankruptcy Appeal, Second Edition xiii

4 O. Stays Pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule P. Stays Pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule Q. Standards for a Stay Pending Appeal...90 IX. Miscellaneous Issues...95 A. Impact of Notice of Appeal on Lower Court s Jurisdiction...95 B. New Issues, Arguments or Law...99 C. Stare Decisis: Are District Court/BAP Decisions Binding? D. Can Appellants Proceed In Forma Pauperis? E. Frivolous Appeals F. Service of Documents G. Amicus Curiae Briefs H. Settlement and Mediation Programs I. Arbitration Orders J. Costs on Appeal X. Documents Involved in Filing an Appeal A. Notice of Appeal B. Certification of Direct Appeal to Courts of Appeal C. Petition for Leave to Take Direct Appeal to Courts of Appeals D. Statement of Issues on Appeal E. Designation of the Record F. Election to Proceed Before the District Court in Lieu of BAP G. The Elements of Appellate Briefs H. Statement of Issues xiv ABI s Bankruptcy Appeals Manual

5 I. Table of Contents J. Table of Authorities Cases, Constitutional and Statutory Provisions K. Statement of the Case and Statement of the Facts L. Summary of the Argument M. Argument N. Argumentative Headings O. Conclusion P. Appendix to the Briefs Q. Tips on Appellate Writing Do Not Assume Anything Start with a Theme Think about the Audience Purpose Drafting the Argument Tone Document Preparation XI. Tips on Appellate Argument A. Master the Facts B. Predicting Questions C. The Argument D. Tips on Speaking Style Answering Questions or Opposing Arguments Winning Your Bankruptcy Appeal, Second Edition xv

6 3. Humor Pauses E. Making Arguments F. Preparation for the Oral Argument G. Conclusion Appendix A Chapter VIII, Appeals Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure Appendix B Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure Appendix C Appendix of Forms Appendix D Examples of Interlocutory Orders Appendix E Examples of Issues Subject to Review for Abuse of Discretion Appendix F Examples of Issues Subject to Review for Clear Error Appendix G Examples of Issues Subject to De Novo Review Appendix H Example of an Appellate Brief xvi ABI s Bankruptcy Appeals Manual