Appellate law practitioners may also be interested in these other research guides: Pennsylvania Statutes, Pennsylvania Court Rules - State, Pennsylvania Cases - Appellate Level. A full list of research guides is available here.
The resources listed below are a selection of the secondary materials related to appellate practice and procedure in Pennsylvania. It may be beneficial to also look at the resources listed in the other pages of this guide. Additional material may be available at Jenkins. Search the Jenkins' catalog for appeal* OR appellate and limit the location to Pennsylvania for a more detailed list. Visitors to Jenkins may also want to browse the shelves around call number KFP555.
Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania
Provides basic information about the Pennsylvania Supreme, Superior, and Commonwealth courts. Researchers can find opinions, docket sheets, statistics, and more. There is also a detailed, technical flow chart found on the How the Courts Operate page (see the "References" on the right). For additional information about the different courts, see Pacourts.us/learn.
The following member database includes information regarding appellate practice in Pennsylvania. Members must be logged in to jenkinslaw.org to access this database. This database is also available in the library.
The chapters/sections listed below are included as a starting place for that resource. Additional chapters/sections may apply. Consult the index or conduct a search in the resource to find additional material.
Pennsylvania Civil Practice
Available on the LexisNexis Digital Library. See Chapter 36: Appeals.
Also on the library's Lexis computers and in print.
Pennsylvania Law Encyclopedia
Available on the LexisNexis Digital Library. See "Appeals" (vol. 2).
Also on the library's Lexis computers and in print.
The following print resources include information regarding appellate practice and procedure in Pennsylvania. Some resources published by LexisNexis and West/Thomson Reuters may be available on the library's Lexis and Westlaw computers. See below for more information.
The chapters/sections listed below are included as a starting place for that resource. Additional chapters/sections may apply. Consult the index or conduct a search in the resource to find additional material.
Dunlap-Hanna Pennsylvania Forms LexisNexis
Also available on the library's Lexis computers.
See Chapter 231: Appeals to Appellate Courts.
Pennsylvania Appellate Practice West/Thomson Reuters
Also on the library's Westlaw computers. Also referred to as Darlington.
Includes a timeline of events in appellate practice, forms, and extensive discussion of the Pennsylvania Rules of Appellate Procedure.
Pennsylvania Civil Practice LexisNexis
Also available on the library's Lexis computers and the LexisNexis Digital Library.
See Chapter 36: Appeals.
Pennsylvania Civil Practice Handbook Bisel
See Chapter 37: Appeals - State Court.
Pennsylvania Law Encyclopedia LexisNexis
Also available on the library's Lexis computers and the LexisNexis Digital Library.
See "Appeals" (vol. 2).
Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Civil Practice Manual Pennsylvania Bar Institute
See § 15-10: Appeals. Library has previous editions: see all.
Standard Pennsylvania Practice 2d West/Thomson Reuters
Also on the library's Westlaw computers.
See Chapter 85 - Chapter 93.
West's Pennsylvania Forms West/Thomson Reuters
Also on the library's Westlaw computers.
See Civil Procedure, Part XV, Chapter 63: Appeals to the Appellate Courts.
Includes forms.
In conjunction with its continuing legal education courses, the Pennsylvania Bar Institute (PBI) produces books covering various appellate practice topics. Some of these concentrate on more specific or unusual areas of the law. When a researcher has difficulty finding an answer in the manuals or form books, it is a good idea to turn to a PBI publication for guidance.
Advanced Appellate Advocacy
Library has previous edition: see all.
Appellate Advocacy in PA State Courts
How to Appeal a Commercial Case in the PA Courts
PBA Commonwealth Court Practicum 2022
Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Civil Practice Manual
See § 15-10: Appeals. Library has previous editions: see all.
Virtual Advocacy in Pennsylvania Appellate Courts
***Please note that not all Pennsylvania appellate courts currently offer virtual arguments. Check with the court for more information.***
Winning (or Not Losing) Your Case on Appeal
Appeal discussions may be found in PBI course books dealing with specific subjects, such as the Post Conviction Relief Act and workers' compensation. Search the Jenkins catalog for appeal* OR appellate to find more PBI materials.