Guidance

Guidance and help for unrepresented appellants in the Court of Appeal (form 205)

Updated 11 June 2024

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/form-205-sources-of-help-for-unrepresented-appellants/guidance-and-help-for-unrepresented-appellants-in-the-court-of-appeal-form-205

About this guide

This guide helps you understand what your options are if you are issuing an appeal to the Court of Appeal without professional legal representation.

It explains:

  • the work you need to carry out at different stages in the process
  • what help is available to you

Lodging an appeal

If you are filing an application in the Civil Appeals office you need to:

  • complete the appellant’s notice
  • prepare all necessary documents
  • pay the relevant fee or get fee exemption

Available help

Royal Court of Justice advice (RCJA) will help explain the court’s notes and advise on completing the form, fee and fee exemption.

Preparing a court bundle

After you have issues your appellant’s notice, you need to file a core bundle and any supplementary bundle if there are additional documents you want to refer to.

Available help

Royal Court of Justice advice (RCJA) will help you collate the necessary documents and prepare a bundle for the court.

Dismissal list

If you have failed to comply with the court’s requirements, such as failing to produce a necessary document, your case may be listed for dismissal.

If cases are listed for dismissal, it is often necessary for applicants or appellants to correct errors in their bundles or obtain missing documents. Time limits are imposed by the court.

Available help

Royal Court of Justice advice (RCJA) can help you to understand what corrections need to be made to your document bundle.

Additional bundles

If permission to appeal has been granted in a case, additional bundles may be needed. They must match the originals and be supplied with the time limit imposed by the court.

Available help

Royal Court of Justice advice (RCJA) can help you to prepare and submit additional bundles.

The appeal hearing will usually be heard by 2 or 3 Lords or Lady Justices. The other side (the respondent) will normally be present. You should put forward your arguments as to why the appeal should be allowed, and answer any arguments the other side may have.

Available help

If permission to appeal has been granted you can self-refer to an organisation called Advocate for professional legal representation at the appeal hearing. Or you can ask The Civil Appeals Office how to apply for an advocate.

Contact RCJ Advice

Contact RCJ Advice
Room M29
Royals Courts of Justice
Strand, London
WC2A 2LL

Email: civiltriage@rcjadvice.org.uk
Phone: 0203 475 4373
Wednesdays between 2pm to 4:30pm

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