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Civil Appeals Screening Statement

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District of Columbia Court of Appeals
Civil Appeals Screening Statement

App. No.

Superior Ct. No.

1. Full caption:

2. Case type and a brief description of the facts that caused the initial dispute, including any injuries on which the claim for compensation is based, if applicable:

3. Nature of disposition below: Attach a copy of the order(s) on appeal to this form.

 

Bench trial

Jury verdict

Summary judgment

Grant/denial of injunction

Default judgment

Other (specify)

Dismissal

Forum non conveniens

Lack of jurisdiction

Failure to state a claim

Failure to prosecute

4. State concisely the principal issue(s) in this appeal and the standard of review governing each:

5. Does this appeal present any new question of law?

yes

no

If yes, what is that question:

6. Nature of relief sought below:

Damages: Amount sought $ Amount received $

Injunctive relief:

Temporary

Granted

Preliminary

Denied

Permanent

Declaratory relief:

Granted

Denied

Attorney fees: Amount sought $ Amount received $

7. Are there any factors that may influence the suitability of mediation?

I certify that the above information is accurate to the best of my knowledge.

Signature

Name

Bar No.

Address

Telephone No.

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I hereby certify that a copy of this screening statement was served by hand/mailed, first class postage prepaid, this day of , 20 , on the following:

Signature:

Open to All ◈ Trusted by All ◈ Justice for All

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What the Civil Appeals Screening Statement Is

A Civil Appeals Screening Statement is a concise court filing used to summarize the procedural posture and central issues of a newly filed civil appeal. It helps appellate clerks and judges quickly determine jurisdiction, timeliness, and whether any threshold defects exist. Typical contents include the case caption and number, a short statement of facts, the order or judgment being appealed, the legal questions presented, whether oral argument is requested, and an estimate of argument time. Individual appellate rules set the required format and timing.

Why a Screening Statement Matters for the Appeal

A clear screening statement lets the court assess defects, prioritize briefing, and determine whether mediation or expedited review is appropriate. It reduces administrative delays, clarifies the scope of review, and helps avoid dismissals for jurisdictional or procedural defects.

Why a Screening Statement Matters for the Appeal

Who Prepares and Who Reviews This Statement

Common filers include appellants and appellate counsel, and clerks who docket the appeal for screening and scheduling.

  • Appellants and their attorneys filing the notice of appeal or accompanying documents for appellate initiation.
  • Trial court clerks or appellate clerks preparing the administrative record and case summary for the appellate docket.
  • Government counsel or agency representatives submitting screening details for administrative appeals or agency review.

Stepwise Process to Prepare and File the Statement

Follow the court's local appellate rules exactly and use the official form or format when provided.

  • 01
    Prepare Statement: Draft concise facts, issues, and identify the order appealed.
  • 02
    Check Local Rules: Confirm required form, page limits, and filing timing.
  • 03
    File Electronically: Submit via the court's e-filing portal or clerk's office.
  • 04
    Serve Parties: Serve opposing counsel and file proof of service.

Core Elements to Include in a Professional Screening Statement

A complete screening statement has standard, recognizable sections so court staff and judges can evaluate jurisdiction and procedural posture at a glance.

Case Caption

Full party names and trial-court information appear at the top so the statement links correctly to the record and avoids clerical mismatch.

Identifying Number

Include the trial docket or judgment number and appellate docket if assigned to ensure correct record retrieval and clerk processing.

Procedural History

Briefly describe pleadings, dispositive motions, trial dates, and the specific order or judgment being appealed to show the appeal's context.

Issues Presented

Number and frame discrete legal questions succinctly; courts rely on precise issue statements to allocate briefing and oral argument time.

Requested Relief

State whether you seek reversal, remand, vacatur, or other relief, and note any urgent relief needs such as stays or injunctions.

Attachments

Attach the appealed order, judgment, and any short exhibits the local rule requires to avoid clerks requesting supplementation.

Security, Privacy, and Access Notes

Public Record: Court filings are presumptively public
Sealing Requests: Use a motion if confidentiality needed
Redaction: Redact sensitive data per local rules
Electronic Filing: E-file systems use secure TLS connections
Retention: Court retains filing per docket rules
HIPAA Considerations: Health details require redaction or sealing

Risks and Consequences of Inaccurate or Late Statements

Dismissal Risk: Untimely or defective filings can lead to dismissal
Waiver: Unraised issues may be treated as waived
Sanctions: False statements risk sanctions or fees
Delay: Incomplete entries cause administrative delays
Service Failure: Wrong contact information blocks notices
Record Gaps: Missing attachments may require supplemental filing

Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Preparing the Statement

  • Leaving the case number or caption incomplete, which prevents clerks from linking the statement to the record and triggers corrective orders.
  • Submitting overly long, argumentative issue statements instead of concise legal questions the court can use to triage the appeal efficiently.
  • Failing to follow local formatting rules such as page limits, fonts, or required cover sheets, resulting in clerk rejection or returned filings.
  • Omitting required attachments like the appealed order or proof of service, often prompting an administrative motion to supplement the record.

How the Screening Statement Moves Through the Court

The court clerk reviews the filing for compliance, the statement is screened for jurisdictional issues, then the matter is scheduled or returned for correction.

  • Clerk Review: Clerk confirms format and docket linkage
  • Screening: Court checks timeliness and jurisdiction
  • Scheduling: Court sets briefing and argument timetable
  • Supplement: Court may order additional filings or corrections

Typical Electronic Filing Workflow Settings

Configure your e-filing submission to match court requirements, including required fields and attachments, to reduce clerk requests for correction.

Field Configuration
Filing Method E-file via court portal or clerk's office
Document Format PDF/A where accepted; searchable PDF preferred
Required Attachments Attach judgment, relevant orders, and proof of service
Notification Enter accurate service emails for all parties

Technical Considerations for eFiling and eSigning

Courts commonly require PDF filings and accept documents via their e-filing systems; verify allowed file types and size limits before submission.

  • File Types: PDF preferred, PDF/A where required
  • Signature Audit: Audit trail with timestamp and IP
  • Authentication: Email or multi-factor signer verification

Typical Timeline and Deadlines to Watch

Timing for appeals and related screening statements varies by jurisdiction; confirm the controlling appellate rule before filing.

Notice of Appeal:

Often 30 days from entry of judgment; see Fed. R. App. P. 4(a).

Screening Statement Filing:

Often filed with or shortly after the notice of appeal per local rule.

Briefing Schedule:

Appellate courts set briefing deadlines after docketing and screening.

Oral Argument Request:

File when required by rule or at initial case management.

Extensions:

Requests for extensions must follow local appellate procedures.

eSignature Vendor Pricing Snapshot for Court Filings

Comparing widely used eSignature vendors on starting price and common capabilities relevant to filing and signing court 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 No No Yes, limited Yes, limited
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Frequently Asked Questions About the Screening Statement

Answers to common procedural and technical questions about drafting, filing, and correcting a Civil Appeals Screening Statement.


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