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APP-200-INFOOptional

How to Use Form APP-200 in Limited Civil Cases

California · Judicial Council of California · Effective January 1, 2025

This information sheet explains how to use Form APP-200, which is used to prepare an opening brief for a limited civil case. It provides details on what the form covers and how to fill out specific sections of the form.

Open the official PDFfrom Judicial Council of California

Where this fits in a case

Motions

Stage: Motions

This information is used when a party is appealing a decision made by a judge or jury in a lower court, specifically in a limited civil case (a case involving $35,000 or less).

Either party may file.

Official instructions

How-to guides published by the court for this form.

Common questions

What kind of case can use this form?
This form is for a limited civil case, which is a civil case involving $35,000 or less. It cannot be used in a criminal case or if the case is over $35,000.
Who should fill out this form?
The appellant, or their lawyer, uses this form to prepare the opening brief. The information sheet also mentions forms for the respondent and reply brief.
What is an appeal?
An appeal is asking a higher court to review a decision that was made by a judge or jury in a lower court.

Revision history

No changes recorded since we started tracking this form on October 9, 2026. The current version took effect January 1, 2025.

Related forms

  • APP-200

    Appellant's Opening Brief—Limited Civil Case

    This form is an Appellant's Opening Brief used only when appealing a limited civil case. It asks the filer to provide information about the case, the order being appealed, the timeline of the appeal, the facts of the dispute, and what happened in the trial court.

    OptionalFillable PDF
  • APP-201

    Respondent's Brief Limited—Limited Civil Case

    This form is a written argument for the party who is responding to an appeal in a limited civil case. It asks the filer to provide information about themselves, describe the facts of the case, and explain why the lower court's decision was correct in response to the appealing party's arguments.

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  • APP-202

    Appellant's Reply Brief—Limited Civil Appeal

    This form is an Appellant's Reply Brief used only when appealing a limited civil case. It asks the filer to write a response to arguments made by the other side in the appeal.

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  • APP-008

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    This form asks a party to tell the Court of Appeal if there are any other people or groups who have a financial or ownership interest in the case. It requires checking if any outside parties need to be listed according to specific court rules.

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  • APP-014A

    Other Party and Nonparty Witness Testimony and other Evidence Attachment (Unlimited Civil Case)

    This form is used to add summaries of testimony from people who were witnesses at a trial or hearing, or from people who were not part of the case. It is attached to a proposed settled statement when appealing a case.

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  • APP-014-INFO

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    This form is an information guide that explains how to fill out the Appellant's Proposed Settled Statement (form APP-014). It provides instructions, definitions of legal words, and details about the process for asking the court to accept this statement for use in the Court of Appeal.

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  • APP-108

    Notice of Waiver of Oral Argument (Limited Civil Case)

    This form is used to tell the court that you want to give up your chance to speak and argue your case in person during an appeal. It is for limited civil cases only.

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  • APP-201-INFO

    How to Use Form APP-201 in Limited Civil Cases

    This information sheet explains how to use the Respondent’s Brief—Limited Civil Case form (APP-201) to write a response to arguments made in an appeal. It tells the reader what the form is for and how to fill out different sections.

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