Source: http://fifthcircuit.org/uniform.aspx
Timestamp: 2017-10-17 09:38:20
Document Index: 195222057

Matched Legal Cases: ['art. 1313', 'art. 1914', 'Art. 5', '§ 8', 'art. 2128', 'art. 845', 'art. 914', 'art. 2166']

Rule 2: The Practice
Rule 3: The Special Appeals
Rule 4: Writs
Rule 5: Procedures for Minors
Application Post Conviction Relief
Latest Change to Rules (new)
1-1.1. Promulgation and Effective Date
The Rules of Court shall be promulgated by posting a copy to the Louisiana Courts of Appeal websites and published in the manner which the court deems most effective and practicable. They shall become effective on July 1, 1982.
Amendments of these Rules shall be promulgated and published in the same manner, and shall become effective as of the date fixed therein.
These Rules shall govern practice and procedure in all appeals and in all writ applications to the Louisiana Courts of Appeal, and shall be known as the 'Uniform Rules of Louisiana Courts of Appeal'
Unless the court orders otherwise, each Court of Appeal will hold sessions at its legal domicile.
The court ordinarily will sit in rotating panels, each composed of 3 Judges, as may be directed by the Chief Judge. In civil cases, when a judgment or ruling of a trial court is to be modified or reversed and one judge dissents, the case shall be reargued or resubmitted before a panel of at least 5 Judges if required by the constitution or by the local rules of the particular appellate circuit. When an appeal is taken from an election case objecting to candidacy or contesting an election, the case shall be heard by the court as directed by law. When authorized by law, or when the court deems it necessary to promote justice or expedite the business of court, the court may sit in panels of more than 3 judges or en banc.
The record for a Court of Appeal shall be prepared by the clerk of the trial court from which the appeal is taken, in accordance with the requirements set forth in this Rule. If a Court of Appeal directs that a record be prepared for a nonappealable matter to be considered under its supervisory jurisdiction, the record in such matters also shall be prepared in accordance with the requirements set forth in this Rule.
Amended Oct. 2, 2006, effective Nov. 1, 2006.
the title of the court to which the record is directed;
the docket number of the case in the Court of Appeal (to be given and entered by the clerks of the Courts of Appeal);
the number of the volume of the record;
the name of the court and of the parish from which the case came, the number of the case in the court below, the division of the court, and the name of the judge who rendered the ruling or judgment to be reviewed;
the names of counsel, with addresses and phone numbers, and the names of the parties represented; and
the date of the filing of the record (to be entered by the clerks of the Courts of Appeal).
a chronological index of the contents, which shall specify the volume and page on which the minutes of the trial court, each paper or filing, and the note of evidence appear by item, date, and page of all filings (papers) in the record;
an alphabetical index of the contents, which shall specify the volume and page on which the minutes of the trial court, each paper of filing, and the note of evidence appear by item, date, and page of all filings (papers) in the record; and
a chronological index of the documents and exhibits filed in evidence (showing on whose behalf filed).
Amended March 29, 2012, effective July 1, 2012.
opening of the court;
impaneling of the grand jury by which the indictment was found (if prosecution by indictment);
Amended Oct. 3, 1994, effective Jan. 1, 1995; amended March 22, 2001, effective Jan. 1, 2002.
The record shall include exact legible copies of all documentary evidence and other evidence (including depositions filed in evidence) in the order in which such evidence was filed. If it is necessary that the original of any evidence be filed, such original must be filed separately and not attached to the record; however, there must be proper reference in the record showing such filing. No record of another case (or prior record in the same titled and numbered case) shall be included in the record, unless such other record has been introduced in evidence (at trial) in the case on appeal or on writs, in which event such other record shall accompany the record as an exhibit.
written reasons for judgment, transcribed oral reasons for judgment, or order (if any);
judgment or order (interlocutory and final); and, in criminal cases, all orders, including the verdict, judgment and sentence;
assignments of error in criminal cases in numerical order, and the trial judge's per curiams (if any), each of which should follow the respective assignment of error. (If the evidence necessary to form a basis for an assignment of error has been transcribed elsewhere in the record, such as in a full transcript of the proceedings, it may be incorporated by reference to the appropriate volume and page of the record, so as to avoid unnecessary duplication in the record).
Within seven (7) days of the granting of an order of appeal, the clerk of the trial court shall transmit to the appellate court and the judicial administrator of the Supreme Court, the notice of appeal required by the Code of Civil Procedure or the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Adopted April 11, 1996. Amended April 7, 2005; Sept. 30, 2012, effective Jan. 1, 2013.
**REPEALED EFFECTIVE SEPETEMBER 30, 2012.**
Upon the filing of the record and the docketing of the case, the clerk shall forthwith notify counsel of record and each party not represented by counsel of the date of the filing and docketing.
A record may be withdrawn from the office of the clerk of a Court of Appeal by counsel of record upon giving receipt therefore to the clerk. The record shall be returned within such reasonable period of time as may be fixed by the clerk at the time of withdrawal. A party not represented by counsel is not permitted to withdraw a record, but may make arrangements with the clerk to review the record at reasonable times in the clerk's office, or in the office of the clerk of the trial court. Records are subject to recall by the court at any time.
All other motions or pleadings (e.g., peremptory exceptions and answers to appeals) filed originally in a Court of Appeal shall be typewritten and double-spaced on white paper of legal size, with proper margins, and shall bear the number and title of the case in the appellate court, the nature of the motion or pleading, the name of counsel filing the motion or pleading, and the name of the party on whose behalf it is filed. The motion or pleading shall bear a certificate showing that a legible copy thereof has been delivered or mailed to opposing counsel of record, and to each opposing party not represented by counsel, and showing the date of service thereof. All motions filed in a Court of Appeal shall include a proposed order.
Amended Oct. 3, 1994, effective Jan. 1, 1995; amended April 10, 2014, effective May 1, 2014.
Motions to dismiss or to remand appeals shall comply with the provisions of Rule 2-7. Such motions shall be submitted to the court by the clerk without oral argument; provided, however, the court may, in its discretion, fix any such motion for oral argument, or refer the motion to the argument on the merits. The motion may include a request to suspend briefing delays until such time as a ruling is made on the motion to dismiss or remand. If the court grants the request for suspension of briefing delays and later denies the motion to dismiss or remand, the court shall set new briefing delays. The act of filing the motion to suspend briefing delays does not suspend the delays; a suspension is effective only as ordered by the Court.
Amended Oct. 7, 1991; amended Oct. 3, 1994, effective Jan. 1, 1995; amended Oct. 1, 2001; amended Sept. 30, 2012, effective Jan. 1, 2013.
A party may by written motion request that the Court of Appeal suspend briefing delays for good cause. If the court grants the request for suspension of the briefing delays, the clerk shall set new briefing delays as directed by the Court. The act of filing the motion to suspend briefing delays does not suspend the delays; a suspension is effective only as ordered by the Court.
Added Oct. 3, 1994, effective Jan. 1, 1995. Amended April 10, 2014, effective May 1, 2014.
The rules and procedures for substitution of parties provided by LSA-C.C.P. Arts. 801-807 shall regulate the substitution of parties.
Amended effective Dec. 1, 1984; amended Oct. 3, 1994, effective Jan. 1, 1995, amended effective April 15, 2010; amended Oct. 7, 2013, effective Jan. 1, 2014.
Amended effective Oct. 7, 1991; amended Sept. 30, 2012, effective Jan. 1, 2013.
Original briefs on 8 1/2″ x 14″ paper shall not exceed thirty-one pages; reply briefs on such paper shall not exceed thirteen pages. Original briefs on 8 1/2″ x 11″ paper shall not exceed forty-one pages; reply briefs on such paper shall not exceed eighteen pages. These limitations do not include pages containing the table of contents required by Rule 2-12.4, Subsection A(l) and the table of authorities required by Rule 2-12.4, Subsection A(2).
Amended April 3, 1986, effective July 1, 1986; amended Oct. 5, 1992; amended Oct. 3, 1994, effective Jan. 1, 1995; amended March 22, 2001, effective Jan. 1, 2002; amended Oct. 7, 2013, effective Jan. 1, 2014.
a statement as to whether the case comes before the court on appeal or in response to a writ;
a statement identifying the party on whose behalf the brief is filed and the party's status before the court;
the name of counsel, with address and telephone number, by whom the brief is filed, and a designation of the parties represented, and a designation of "appeal counsel";
the designation of whether the case is a civil, criminal, juvenile, or special proceeding (state particular type of proceeding).
Citation of Louisiana cases shall be in conformity with Section VIII of the Louisiana Supreme Court General Administrative Rules. Citations of other cases shall be to volume and page of the official reports (and when possible to the unofficial reports). It is recommended that where United States Supreme Court cases are cited, all three reports be cited, e.g., Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 86 S.Ct. 1602, 16 L.Ed.2d 694 (1966).
Amended April 3, 1986, effective July 1, 1986; amended Oct. 3, 1994, effective Jan. 1, 1995; amended Oct. 2, 2006, effective Nov. 1, 2006; amended Oct. 7, 2013, effective Jan. 1, 2014; amended April 10, 2014, effective May 1, 2014.
The brief of the appellee shall contain appropriate and concise responses and arguments to the contentions and arguments of the appellant and shall conform to the requirements for the appellant's brief set forth in Rule 2-12.4, except that the following need not be included unless the appellee is dissatisfied with the appellant’s statements:
assignments of alleged errors, Rule 2-12-4, Subsection A(5);
the statement of facts, Rule 2-12.4, Subsection A(7);
the statement of the standard of review, Rule 2-12.4, Subsection A(9)(b);
the statement of the objection or proffer, Rule 2-12.4, Subsection A(9)(c); and
a copy of the judgment or order and a copy of the trial court’s written or transcribed oral reasons, Rule 2-12.4, Subsection B(1).
Amended Oct. 2, 2006, effective Nov. 1, 2006; amended Oct. 7, 2013, effective Jan. 1, 2014; amended April 10, 2014, effective May 1, 2014.
If pertinent and significant authorities come to a party’s attention after all original and reply briefs have been filed - or after oral argument but before decision - a party may promptly advise the clerk by letter, with a copy to all other parties, setting forth the citations.
The letter shall be limited to: (1) the name and citation of the opinion or authority; (2) the issue raised by the case which is pertinent to the issues raised in the case pending before this Court; and (3) a citation to the page number of where this point has been raised in briefs before this Court or, if not raised in briefs and dealt with in oral argument only, where and how this issue arose during oral argument. The letter shall not include attachments, including but not limited to the documents cited within the letter.
The body of the letter shall not exceed two pages (letter size). Any response must be made promptly and must be similarly limited. This section 2-12.6.1 letter shall not contain argument; if a party desires to make an argument or to exceed two pages (letter size), the party shall file a motion for permission to file a supplemental brief.
Adopted April 6, 2006. Amended April 10, 2014, effective May 1, 2014.
Rule 2-13. Timely Filing of Papers; Timeliness
All papers and required copies to be filed in a Court of Appeal shall be legible and shall be filed with the clerk. Filing maybe accomplished by delivery or by mail addressed to the clerk. The filing of such papers shall be deemed timely when the papers are mailed on or before the due date. If the papers are received by mail on the first legal day following the expiration of the delay, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that they were timely filed. In all cases where the presumption does not apply, the timeliness of the mailing shall be shown only by an official United States postmark or cancellation stamp or by official receipt or certificate from the United States Postal Service or bonafide commercial mail services such as Federal Express or United Parcel Service, made at the time of mailing which indicates the date thereof. Any other dated stamp, such as a private commercial mail meter stamp, shall not be used to establish timeliness.
Amended Oct. 7, 2002; amended Oct. 2, 2006, effective Nov. 1, 2006; amended April 10, 2014, effective May 1, 2014.
At or before the time of filing, legible copies of all papers filed in a Court of Appeal by any party shall be served in accordance with the provisions of Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure art. 1313 to opposing counsel of record and to each opposing party not represented by counsel. Amended Oct. 7, 2013, effective Jan. 1, 2014.
Textual Materials. A book, treatise, or other textual material not conveniently available to the court, used as authority during argument by counsel, shall, on request of court, be deposited with the court until the case is decided. By leave of court, a photocopy of the pertinent material may be substituted in lieu of the book, the treatise, or other textual material.
Exhibits for Demonstration. All models, maps, charts, diagrams, or other exhibits used for purposes of illustration, demonstration, or explanation during oral argument before the court (but not made a part of the record) and deposited thereafter with the court shall be removed by the party or counsel responsible for such use and deposit within 30 days after written notice given by the clerk. Failure to remove timely shall authorize the clerk to destroy the exhibit or make other disposition thereof as the court may deem proper.
A case may be disposed of by formal opinion when at least one of the following criteria is satisfied. The decision involved:
criticizes or explains existing law;
applies an established rule of law to a factual situation significantly different from that in published opinions of the courts of this state;
resolves an apparent conflict of authority; or,
constitutes a significant and non-duplicative contribution to legal literature because it contains:
an historical review of law;
a review of legislative history; or,
a review of conflicting decisions among the courts or other jurisdictions.
Where the panel unanimously agrees that a case does not qualify for disposition by formal opinion, the case may be disposed of by a concise memorandum opinion. A memorandum opinion shall succinctly state:
the court from which the appeal comes;
the germane facts, including the ruling of the lower court;
the issues and contentions of the parties when appropriate;
the judgment of the appellate court; and
a statement that the memorandum opinion is issued in compliance with URCA Rule 2-16.1.B
Amended Dec. 22, 2003, effective Jan. 1, 2004.
In any case in which the panel unanimously determines no jurisprudential purpose would be served by a written opinion and that any one or more of the following dispositive circumstances exist, the decision of the court may be made by summary disposition. A summary disposition may be utilized when:
the appellate court lacks jurisdiction;
the disposition is clearly controlled by case law precedent, statute, or rules of court;
the issues involve no more than an application of well-settled rules to recurring fact situations;
the opinion or findings of fact and conclusions of law of the trial court or agency adequately explain the decision;
the record does not demonstrate that the decision of the trier of fact is clearly wrong (manifestly erroneous);
the record demonstrates that the evidence in support of a criminal jury verdict is not insufficient; or,
the panel otherwise unanimously determines summary disposition is appropriate in accordance with the law and evidence.
The court may dispose of a case by summary disposition with or without oral argument at any time after the case is docketed in the appellate court. The disposition may provide for dismissal, affirmance, remand, reversal or any combination thereof as appropriate to the case.
a statement describing the nature of the case and the dispositive issues without a discussion of the facts.
the judgment of the appellate court and a citation to one or more of the criteria under this rule which supports the judgment, e.g., "Affirmed in accordance with Uniform Court of Appeal Rule 2-16.2.A(1)."
Amended April 30, 1999, effective Oct. 4, 1999; amended Dec. 22, 2003, effective Jan. 1, 2004.
A formal opinion of a Court of Appeal shall be designated for publication unless a majority of the panel determines otherwise.
A memorandum opinion or a summary disposition of a Court of Appeal shall not be designated for publication except by majority vote of the panel.
The panel shall reconsider its decision not to publish an opinion upon the request of the trial judge or a party, provided that the request and reasons therefore are made in writing within the delays for rehearing following the rendition of the opinion.
Amended April 20, 1999, effective Oct. 4, 1999; amended Dec. 22, 2003, effective Jan. 1, 2004; amended Oct. 1, 2007, effective Nov. 1, 2007.
In every case, one copy of the opinion, when rendered, shall be transmitted to the trial judge, the clerk of the trial court, all appeal counsel of record, and all parties not represented by counsel.
In cases governed by the Code of Criminal Procedure, an application for rehearing must be filed with the clerk on or before 14 days after the rendition of the judgment.
In cases governed by the Code of Civil Procedure, an application for rehearing must be filed with the clerk on or before 14 days after the personal delivery or mailing of the notice of the judgment and opinion of the court.
If the applicant for rehearing needs additional time for filing a brief in support of the application, an extension of time within which to file the brief may be granted by the court for good cause shown on written motion filed with the clerk of the court at the time the application for rehearing is filed. The act of filing the motion to extend the time within which to file the brief does not extend the time; an extension is effective only as ordered by the Court. Amended April 10, 2014, effective May 1, 2014.
All notices or copies of papers required by these Rules to be transmitted by the clerk shall be sent to appeal counsel of record for each party, and to any party not represented by counsel, to the United States mailing address, email address or facsimile number shown by the record or to the United States mailing address, email address or facsimile number furnished to the clerk.
The administrative body shall endorse on every application for an appeal the date of its filing and shall fix the return date, which shall not be more than 60 days from the date of filing the application for appeal. The administrative body shall transmit the record to the appropriate Court of Appeal by the return date.
Within 24 hours after any pleading is filed in an action objecting to candidacy or contesting an election, the clerk of district court shall by facsimile transmission or by e-mail as directed by the Court of Appeal, provide a copy to the clerk of the Court of Appeal.
Within 24 hours after the signing of judgment, the clerk of the district court shall provide a copy of the judgment and reasons for judgment to the clerk of the Court of Appeal by facsimile transmission or by e-mail as directed by the Court of Appeal.
Within 24 hours after an order of appeal has been obtained and a bond given, the clerk of district court shall give notice of the order of appeal to the clerk of the Court of Appeal by facsimile transmission or by e-mail as directed by the Court of Appeal.
Once the record lodges with the Court of Appeal, all briefing and docketing notices issued by the clerk of court shall be by facsimile or e-mail transmission.
Adopted and effective Oct. 4, 1999. Amended Oct. 2, 2006, effective Nov. 1, 2006; Sept. 30, 2012, effective Jan. 1, 2013.
Historical Notes: A prior Rule 3-2, relating to delayed appeals in criminal cases, was deleted effective Jan. 1, 1990.
Rule 4-1. Application for Writs
An application for writs of any kind, and all documents and exhibits in connection therewith, shall be filed in an original and 3 duplicate copies with the clerk of the Court of Appeal, and shall not be considered by the court or any judge of the court unless it is properly filed with the clerk.
The party, or counsel of record, intending to apply to the Court of Appeal for a writ shall give to the opposing parties or opposing counsel of record, notice of such intention; notice simultaneously shall be given to the judge whose ruling is at issue, by requesting a return date to be set by the judge as provided by Rule 4-3.
Upon proper showing, the trial court or the appellate court may extend the time for filing the application upon the filing of a motion for extension of return date by the applicant, filed within the original or an extended return date period. An application not filed in the appellate court within the time so fixed or extended shall not be considered, in the absence of a showing that the delay in filing was not due to the applicant's fault. The application for writs shall contain documentation of the return date and any extensions thereof; any application that does not contain this documentation may not be considered by the appellate court.
In civil cases, Rule 4-3 has been revised to coordinate the date of the beginning of the 30-day period for setting a return date with the date of notice of the ruling at issue, in accordance with the notice rules of La. C.C.P. art. 1914 as amended by Act 545 of 2003. The "ruling at issue" refers to any interlocutory judgment, order, or ruling of the trial court. In the interests of judicial efficiency and fairness to the parties, an appellate court in its discretion may review an interlocutory or final judgment pursuant to its supervisory jurisdiction, even though the judgment also could be reviewed pursuant to an appeal. See Chambers v. LeBlanc, 598 So.2d 337 (La. 1992); Winston v. Martin, 34,195 (La. App. 2 Cir. 7/6/00), 764 So. 2d 368; Smith v. Louisiana Dept. of Public Safety, 90-1029 (La. App. 3 Cir. 10/15/90), 571 So.2d 666; Hamilton Medical Group v. Ochsner Health Plan, 550 So.2d 290 (La. App 3 Cir. 1989). The 30-day period in Rule 4-3 in no way affects an appellate court’s ability to utilize its supervisory jurisdiction in such instances.
When an application for writs is sought, further proceedings may be stayed at the trial court's discretion. Any request for a stay of proceedings should be presented first to the trial court. The filing of, or the granting of, a writ application does not stay further proceedings unless the trial court or appellate court expressly orders otherwise.
When expedited consideration by an appellate court is requested, including, but not limited to, a request for a stay order, the application shall include on the cover a statement in bold print that such consideration is sought and a statement within the application itself, entitled "REQUEST FOR EXPEDITED CONSIDERATION", setting forth justification for the request and a specific time within which action by the appellate court is sought by the applicant. The "REQUEST FOR EXPEDITED CONSIDERATION" shall be included as a separate page and properly noted in the index. The applicant shall notify the appellate court immediately of any change in the status of the case.
In all applications requesting a stay order or other priority consideration, the applicant must certify in affidavit form that the trial court and all counsel and unrepresented parties have been notified by telephonic or other equally prompt means of communication that said writ application has been or is about to be filed and that said application has been served forthwith on the trial court and all parties at interest or their counsel, by means equal to the means used to effect filing with the appellate court. (That is, if filing with the appellate court is by overnight mail, the same means shall be employed for service on the trial court and all parties at interest or their counsel. If filing is by hand to the appellate court, service must be made on the trial court and all parties at interest or their counsel by an equally prompt means.)
The original application for writs shall be signed by the applicant or counsel of record, and shall contain an affidavit verifying the allegations of the application and certifying that a copy has been delivered or mailed to the respondent judge and to opposing counsel, and to any opposing party not represented by counsel. The affidavit shall list all parties and all counsel, indicating the parties each represents. The affidavit also shall list the addresses and telephone numbers (if available) of the respondent judge, opposing counsel and any opposing party not represented by counsel.
The original and duplicates shall be legible and shall have the pages of the application and attached documents and exhibits consecutively numbered. The entire submission shall be hole punched and bound in two places along the top margin, preferably with 4 1/4 inch metal file fasteners such that no part of the text on any page is obscured, and in sections consisting of no more than 250 pages. No tabs shall be used in lieu of consecutive page numbering and no tabs or extensions shall be placed outside the paper dimensions. Documents within the bound submission shall not contain any staples, clips or other fasteners.
The submission shall contain these items:
a concise statement of the case, including the status of the case at the time the writ application is filed, in order to reflect any trial dates or hearing dates that are pending;
the assignments or specifications of errors and a memorandum in support of the application, in accordance with Rules 2-12.2 and 2-12.10, and a prayer for relief;
a copy of the judgment, order, or ruling complained of (if by written judgment, order, or ruling);
a copy of each pleading on which the judgment, order, or ruling was founded, including the petition(s) in civil cases and the indictment or the bill of information in criminal cases;
a copy of any opposition and any attachments thereto filed by a party in the trial court or a statement by the relator that no opposing written document was filed;
A separate page entitled "REQUEST FOR EXPEDITED CONSIDERATION" and indexed as such shall be included if the applicant seeks expedited relief or a stay order as required by Rule 4-4(B) and a corresponding affidavit as required by Rule 4-4(C).
If any trial or hearing date is set after a writ application is filed or if any trial or hearing date included in a filed wirt application is changed or continued, the applicant shall notify the court by facsimile or by e-mail, if directed by the Court of Appeal, of the setting, change, or continuance of the hearing date no later than three business days after the setting, change or continuance. The filed writ application shall be supplemented with this information not later than one week after the setting, change or continuance.
Amended March 26, 1992, effective April 1, 1992; amended Oct. 3, 1994, effective Jan. 1, 1995; amended Oct. 2, 1995, effective Jan 1, 1996; amended Oct. 2, 2000; amended March 14, 2002, effective Jan. 1, 2003; amended Oct. 2, 2006, effective Nov. 1, 2006; amended April 15, 2010; amended April 10, 2014, effective May 1, 2014.
The clerk shall transmit a copy of the court of appeal's disposition of an application for writs in each particular case to
If a party is not represented by a counsel of record, the clerk shall transmit a copy of the disposition to the litigant to the United States mailing address shown in the application or in care of the trial court clerk where no address of the litigant is shown.
Where circumstances require prompt notice of the court's disposition of an application for writs, the clerk shall transmit the disposition in accordance with Rule 2-20, but may also give prompt notice of the disposition by telephone and/or by email or facsimile transmission to those who are to receive the notice via United States mail.
Amended Oct. 2, 1989, effective Jan. 1, 1990; Sept. 30, 2012, effective January 1, 2013.
Rule 5: Procedures for Writs & Appeals Involving Minors
In recognition of the need for confidentiality and expeditious consideration of writs and appeals in certain types of cases involving minors, the following cases shall be afforded preferential treatment and consideration:
Cases in which there is a modification of an existing custody decree or custody arrangement, including but not limited to:
change of domiciliary parent
change of custodial time
Cases involving intercountry adoption of children, as set forth in Title XII-A of the Children’s Code.
Once a return date is set by the trial court, no extension shall be granted by the trial court or the court of appeal except upon a showing of extraordinary circumstances.
Appeals and writ applications in such cases shall be assigned by preference to the next docket or cycle following any required briefing schedule.
In appeals taken in such cases, the brief of the appellant shall be filed not later than 15 calendar days after the filing of the record, and the brief of the appellee shall be filed not later than 30 calendar days after the filing of the record. The reply brief, if any, of the appellant shall be filed not later than 5 calendar days after the appellee’s brief is filed.
In such civil cases, if an appellant does not file a brief within the time prescribed by this rule or any extension thereof granted by the court as provided by this rule or Rule 2-12.8, a notice shall be mailed by the clerk to counsel for the appellant, or to the appellant if not represented, that the appeal shall be dismissed 10 days thereafter unless a brief is filed in the meantime. If an appellant does not file a brief within 10 days after such notice is mailed, the appeal shall be dismissed as abandoned. Provided, however, that irrespective of the time limit provided in this rule for the appellee to file a brief, the appellee's brief shall be filed within 15 days from the due date shown on the notice of abandonment.
When an application for writs is sought in such cases to review the actions of a trial court, the trial court shall fix a reasonable time within which the application shall be filed in the appellate court, not to exceed 15 days from the date of the ruling at issue. Only upon a showing of extraordinary hardship shall the trial court or an appellate court extend the time for filing the application; and such an extension, if any, must be sought by the applicant in writing, within the original or an extended return date period.
Appeals and writs in these cases shall be considered by priority and the court shall render such opinions expeditiously to allow release on or before the next regularly scheduled opinion release date following the cycle or docket in which the case was submitted.
Rehearing applications in compliance with URCA 2-18 shall be decided by preference by the court.
Appendix A: Uniform Application for Post Conviction Relief
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Appendix B: Comments on Rules
Comments on Rule 1-5
The first sentence provides for the usual 3-judge panel to hear cases. The second sentence adds the constitutional requirement of 5-judge panels in the case of modification or reversal, in a civil matter, with one dissent. The use of the word “resubmitted” allows for the situation where the case was originally submitted without oral argument. It has been the practice that if the case was originally argued orally, it is again argued orally before 5 judges, but if the case was originally submitted without oral argument, it is submitted to the 5-judge panel without oral argument. LSA-Const. Art. 5, § 8(B). In Sarpy v. Sarpy, 359 So.2d 750 (La.App. 4 Cir. 1978), writ denied, 360 So.2d 1178 (La.1978), the court said:
“The purpose of Section 8(B) is to require reconsideration by a larger panel ‘prior to rendition of judgment’ whenever the original panel proposes to reverse or modify the trial court judgment, unless the original panel votes unanimously to do so. . . .
“Once the judgment is rendered reversing the trial court judgment, Section 8(B) does not require unanimity of the appellate court on an application to reconsider the unanimous judgment of reversal.”
The third sentence takes care of appeals in election cases. LSA-R.S. 18:1409H. The last sentence is to take care of any special situations.
This Rule is to take care of the situation where a party in a civil case wishes to designate the record as provided in LSA-C.C.P. art. 2128.
Pursuant to C.Cr.P. art. 845 [repealed; see, now, C.Cr.P. art. 914.1], the appellant in a criminal case is required to designate the portions of the record on appeal. Other portions may be designated by the appellee (state) or the trial and appellate courts.
This Rule, providing for the substitution of parties, is taken from Rule 13 of the S.Ct. Rules. The references to substitution of parties in the former Rules are contained in the Rule dealing with Remedial Writs, C.A. , R 12, S 7, and in Rule 13 dealing with Proceedings in Case of Death (which is unnecessarily detailed). The Rule is intended to make for more uniformity in the appellate courts, as well as in the trial courts.
[Publisher's note: This Comment was modified in 2001 to reflect a 1983 amendment to C.C.P. art. 2166.]
Latest Updates to Uniform Rules
Changes to Uniform Rules amended October 7, 2013; effective January 1, 2014. Please click for the latest update to the Rules.
Changes to Uniform Rules amended April 10, 2014; effective May 1, 2014. Please click for the latest update to the Rules.