Opinion ID: 2107679
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Timeliness of First Appeal

Text: Before we address the merits in this case, we must determine whether plaintiffs appeal from the judgment was timely. In accordance with Article I, Rule 4(a) of the Supreme Court Rules of Appellate Procedure, a notice of appeal must be filed within twenty (20) days of the date of the entry of the judgment. We have held that the twenty-day appeal time commence[s] to run from the first day following the day when the first valid appealable order was entered. Kay v. Menard, 727 A.2d 665, 666 (R.I.1999) (citing Article I, Rules 4(a) and 20(a) of the Supreme Court Rules of Appellate Procedure). Because the April 5, 2006 judgment was a valid judgment of the Superior Court, and because plaintiff did not file a notice of appeal within twenty days of that date, the appeal is untimely and is not properly before this Court. Accordingly, we decline to reach the merits of the issues raised and shall limit our review to plaintiffs appeal from the order denying the motion to vacate the judgment.