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Appellants Notice Designating Record on Appeal

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Appellant’s Notice Designating Record on Appeal (Limited Civil Case)

Before you fill out this form, read Information on Appeal Procedures for Limited Civil Cases (form APP-101-INFO) to know your rights and responsibilities.

This form is only for choosing (“designating”) the record on appeal in a limited civil case.

If this form is not attached to your notice of appeal, you must serve and file this form within 10 days after you file your notice of appeal.

Clerk stamps date here when form is filed.

Superior Court of California, County of

Trial Court Case Number:

Trial Court Case Name:

Appellate Division Case Number:

1. Your Information

a. Name of Appellant

b. Appellant’s contact information

c. Appellant’s lawyer

2. Information About Your Appeal

I/my client filed a notice of appeal in the trial court case identified above on:

3. Record of Oral Proceedings in the Trial Court

You do not have to provide the appellate division with a record of what was said in the trial court. But if you want to raise any issue that requires it, you will need to provide a record of those oral proceedings.

I elect / My client elects to proceed:

4. Record of what was said in the trial court proceedings

Designation of proceedings to be included in reporter’s transcript:

If the designated proceedings do not include all of the testimony, state the points you intend to raise on appeal:

Reporter’s transcript payment / format

Format of reporter’s transcript:

5. Record of the Documents Filed in the Trial Court

Required documents

Additional documents

Exhibits

Payment for clerk’s transcript

Date:

Type or print your name

Signature of appellant or attorney

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What the Appellants Notice Designating Record on Appeal Is

The Appellants Notice Designating Record on Appeal is a formal filing used to identify and request the trial-court record that will be transmitted to an appellate court. It specifies which transcripts, exhibits, pleadings, and documents the appellant wants included in the record on appeal, and it notifies the clerk and opposing parties of that designation. Properly prepared, the notice helps ensure the appellate court receives the exact materials needed to review the lower-court decision and avoids omissions or disputes over which items should be transmitted.

Why this Notice Matters for an Appeal

A clear designation narrows the record for appellate review, reduces copying and transmission delays, and preserves the appellant’s right to contest which items the appellate court may examine.

Why this Notice Matters for an Appeal

Who Typically Prepares and Files the Notice

Service and clerk acceptance are essential steps; verify local appellate rules for exact filing and service procedures.

  • Appellant or counsel files the notice and certifies the designated items are correct and complete.
  • Trial-court clerk receives and processes the designation for transmission to the appellate court.
  • Opposing counsel is served a copy and may object to omissions or inclusion of materials.

Core Components of a Professional Appellants Notice

A professional notice is concise, cites the appellate docket, lists each document with dates, and follows local appellate formatting rules.

Caption

Court caption and appellate docket number must match appellate filings and identify parties consistently across all documents.

Designation List

An itemized list showing pleadings, motions, orders, exhibits, and transcript segments with dates and page identifiers for easy retrieval.

Transcripts

Specify reporter names, hearing dates, and exact transcript portions needed rather than broad requests to limit copying costs.

Certifications

Signature block certifying accuracy and service details for all parties and the trial-court clerk, per local rule requirements.

Service Details

Method and date of service on opposing counsel and the clerk, including addresses, email, or electronic service information.

Compliance Notes

Cite the governing appellate rule or local rule and note any statutory timelines or presumptions affecting the designation.

Essential Information to Include

Party Names: Exact legal names
Docket Number: Appellate docket ID
Document List: Itemized list
Transcript Dates: Hearing dates
Service Method: How served
Signature: Authorized signer

Step-by-Step: Completing the Notice

Follow these sequential steps to prepare, serve, and file an accurate designation that complies with appellate procedure.

  • 01
    Gather Records: Collect pleadings, orders, exhibits, and transcripts you believe are necessary.
  • 02
    Itemize Precisely: List each document by title and date; avoid vague groupings.
  • 03
    Serve Parties: Serve opposing counsel and the trial-court clerk per local rules.
  • 04
    File with Clerk: File the notice with the trial-court clerk and obtain proof of filing.

How to Configure an Online Workflow for This Notice

Set up a digital template and routing rules to standardize designations and avoid omissions across appeals.

Template Fields Docket number, party names, itemized list
Routing Rules Auto-send to trial clerk and opposing counsel
Signature Capture Signer authentication and timestamping
Attachment Rules Attach exhibits or transcript requests
Audit Trail Maintain completion logs and IP timestamps

Where to File and How the Record Moves

Understand the routing so the trial-court clerk can assemble and forward the designated materials to the appellate court.

  • File at Trial Court: Submit the notice to the clerk where the case originated.
  • Serve Opposing Party: Deliver a copy to all counsel per service rules.
  • Clerk Assembles Record: Clerk compiles transcripts, exhibits, and designated filings.
  • Transmit to Appellate: Clerk forwards the copied or electronic record to the appellate clerk.

Digital Delivery and eFiling Considerations

Retain copies with audit trails and proof of service; follow any clerk instructions for electronic transmission and labeling.

  • Accepted Formats: PDF / DOCX / certified transcripts
  • Authentication: Signer identity and audit trail
  • Record Integrity: Tamper-evident PDF or certified copy

Timelines and Filing Deadlines to Watch

Timing rules for designation and transmission vary by jurisdiction; meet both local rule deadlines and any statutory time limits.

Designation Deadline:

Often set by local appellate rule; check court rule

Transcript Requests:

Request promptly to allow reporter preparation time

Filing Proof:

File proof of service and clerk receipt as required

Appellate Brief Deadlines:

Briefing schedule often depends on record availability

Extensions:

Seek extensions early and in writing if needed

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting an overly broad transcript request that increases cost and delays record preparation.
  • Failing to serve opposing counsel correctly, which can create procedural objections or waiver issues.
  • Listing items without exact dates or titles, making retrieval by the clerk or reporter difficult.
  • Not confirming electronic filing or submission format with the clerk before sending the record.

Consequences of an Incorrect or Late Designation

Missed Issues: Claims may be unreviewable
Cost Exposure: Increased copying/transcript costs
Procedural Sanctions: Court may deny filings
Brief Delay: Appellate briefing schedule shifts
Record Gaps: Missing evidence in the appellate record
Waiver Risk: Failure to preserve issues

Use Cases: How Practitioners Use the Notice

Real examples show how different legal teams prepare and deliver the designation to streamline appellate review.

Small Firm Appeal

A small civil firm limited the transcript to the motion hearing

  • saved reporter fees
  • By designating only the contested hearing pages, the firm cut costs and secured the appellate clerk’s timely transfer of relevant materials.

Complex Commercial Case

Lead counsel itemized pleadings and 30 exhibits with dates

  • coordinated service and clerk deadlines
  • Detailed itemization reduced clerk follow-up and ensured the appellate panel received all contested evidence for briefing and oral argument.

eSignature Pricing Comparison for Preparing and Signing Notices

Compare common eSignature vendors for costs and capabilities relevant to preparing, signing, and transmitting appellate designation documents.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day trial Yes Yes Yes Yes
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Frequently Asked Questions and Troubleshooting

Answers to common questions about drafting, signing, filing, and correcting a designation for the appellate record.


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