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The basics of California Appeals — two not-so-simple rules (Part 2) – The Ehrlich Law Firm
How to comply with Rule 1, Step 1— Know what to appeal
The most common appealable orders listed in section 904.1 are these:
From an order after final judgment (such as an order awarding attorney’s fees post-trial)
From an order granting a new trial, or denying a motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict
From an order granting or dissolving an injunction, or refusing to grant or dissolve an injunction
From a sanctions order directing the payment of more than $5,000
From an order granting or denying an “Anti-SLAPP” motion under Code Civ. Proc. section 416.26
From an order appointing a receiver
From an order granting a right-to-attach order or discharging or refusing to discharge an attachment.
Note that the term “judgment” in section 904.1 includes an appealable order. (See CRC, Rule 8.104(f).) An order of dismissal, for example, is appealable when it is in writing, signed by the court, and filed in the action. (Code Civ. Proc. § 581d.) But an order sustaining a demurrer without leave to amend is not an appealable order. (Sisemore v. Master Financial, Inc. (2007) 151 Cal.App.4th 1386, 1396.) Rather, the appeal lies from the order of dismissal made following the order sustaining the demurrer. (Id.) “But when the trial court has sustained a demurrer to all of the complaint’s causes of action, appellate courts may deem the order to incorporate a judgment of dismissal, since all that is left to make the order appealable is the formality of the entry of a dismissal order or judgment.” (Melton v. Boustred (2010) 183 Cal.App.4th 521, 544.) Courts generally only invoke this rule to save a premature appeal. But it could conceivably be used to argue that an appeal was untimely in a case where the only order issued was the order sustaining the demurrer, and no dismissal was entered.
Similarly, a statement of decision is generally not an appealable order. (Alan v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (2007) 40 Cal.4th 894, 901.) This is because courts generally embody their final rulings in orders or judgments, not a statement of decision. (Id.) But if a written statement of decision is signed and filed, and satisfies the requirements of Code Civ. Proc. § 581d, it can be treated as appealable order if no further order or judgment follows. (Id.)
The list of appealable orders in section 904.1 is not exhaustive, unfortunately. The Family Code and the Probate Code have specific provisions that make certain orders appealable. So too does the Code of Civil Procedure, such as section 1294, which makes orders denying or dismissing a petition to compel arbitration, or dismissing a motion to confirm, correct or vacate an arbitration award appealable.
There are also common-law rules that make some orders appealable. For example, a “death knell” order that denies certification of a class action, or that disposes of an entire class action (such as an order sustaining a demurrer to class allegations) is deemed “final” and is immediately appealable. (Linder v. Thrifty Oil Co. (2000) 23 Cal.4th 429, 435, 97 Cal.Rptr.2d 179, 184 [denying class certification]; Daar v. Yellow Cab Co. (1967) 67 Cal.2d 695, 699, 63 Cal.Rprt. 724, 728 [same]; Wilner v. Sunset Life Ins. Co. (2000) 78 Cal.App.4th 952, 957, 93 Cal.Rprt.2d 413, 416, fn. 1 [demurrer to class allegations].) The death-knell doctrine is therefore deemed part of the one-final judgment rule, not an exception to it.
The definition of a “collateral order” is a bit more involved, and beyond the scope of this presentation. In general, it requires that three conditions be satisfied: (1) the order directs the performance of an act or the payment of money; (2) the order involve an issue that is wholly collateral to the main issue in the case; and (3) as to that collateral issue, the order is final. (Civil Appeals, § 2.77.)
Ultimately, every time an order is issued, the trial lawyer must consider whether it could be considered “final” and appealable, or within an exception to the one-final judgment rule, or subject to review by statutory writ.
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