Court of Appeals launches self-help center 

Posted: 1:00 am Mon, February 1, 2010
By Minnesota Lawyer

Parties considering filing an appeal with the Minnesota Court of Appeals can now get help through a new online Court of Appeals Self-Help Center. The center can be accessed through the Minnesota Judicial Branch Web site.

The site, which was designed for use by nonlawyers, includes an overview of the appeals process and answers to frequently asked questions, as well as information on fees, filing deadlines and necessary forms.

By law, litigants have a right to appellate review of the final decisions of the District Courts and many decisions of state agencies and local governments. Court of Appeals’ decisions are the final ruling in about 96 percent of the more than 2,000 appeals filed every year in Minnesota. Typically, only 3 to 4 percent of Court of Appeals decisions are accepted by the Minnesota Supreme Court for further review.