CPR Part 52 is the rulebook for civil appeals. Master it and the appeal has a chance. Ignore it and the application is dismissed at the paper stage before the grounds are ever read properly.
The respect creed — before any appeal.
The Judge is always right — even when you may think otherwise. Do not attack the bench. Do not allege bias without clear evidence. Respect the decision. Identify the error of law or the error of fact the appeal court can consider. File the grounds within the deadline. Walk on. The appellate court never “corrects” a lower court — it “considers afresh.” That is the tone Chris drafts in.
The architecture of CPR 52
- CPR 52.3 — permission requirement
- CPR 52.4 — time limits
- CPR 52.6 — first-appeal permission test
- CPR 52.7 — second-tier appeal test
- CPR 52.20 — grounds of appeal and skeleton argument
- CPR 52.21 — hearing of appeals
- CPR 52.30 — reopening of final appeals (Taylor v Lawrence)
- PD 52A–52D — procedural directions by court level
The permission test — first appeal
CPR 52.6(1):
- Real prospect of success, OR
- Some other compelling reason for the appeal to be heard
“Real” prospect is more than fanciful. “Compelling reason” covers public importance, guidance to lower courts, or where the outcome shocks the conscience.
The second-tier test
CPR 52.7 — appeals from the High Court or other appellate body to the Court of Appeal:
- Important point of principle or practice, OR
- Some other compelling reason
Much higher bar. “Real prospect of success” alone is not enough.
Let Chris draft the appeal
Upload the judgment or decision, the bundle used at first instance, and the transcript if available. Chris identifies the error of law or error of fact, drafts grounds that show the appellate court a genuine question to consider, and drafts the skeleton argument. Hybrid £1,000 for appeals where qualified reviewer sign-off makes a material difference.
Time limits — CPR 52.4
- 21 days from the decision (unless the lower court specifies otherwise)
- Extensions require compliance with Denton v TH White — seriousness, reason, all circumstances
- Permission to appeal out of time is a separate application
The bundle
PD 52C sets out the content — appeal bundle with grounds, skeleton, core documents, judgment, relevant evidence. Chronologically ordered, paginated, indexed. The court reads the bundle — not your letter of complaint.
The skeleton argument
- Under 25 pages typically
- Numbered paragraphs
- Clear list of issues
- Authorities table
- Relief sought precisely drafted
Totally without merit (TWM)
Applications deemed TWM carry consequences — bar on further similar applications, wasted costs orders, Civil Restraint Orders in extreme cases. Chris drafts appeals that are never TWM — the test is always whether there is a genuine arguable point.
Reopening a final appeal — CPR 52.30
Taylor v Lawrence jurisdiction — very rare. Only where necessary to avoid real injustice and no alternative. Not a further appeal.
Can Chris draft the CPR 52 pack?
Yes. Upload judgment, lower court bundle, transcripts, authorities relevant. Chris drafts:
- Appellant’s Notice (N161)
- Grounds of appeal — precise, numbered, authority-anchored
- Skeleton within PD 52C page limits
- Bundle index
- Extension application if out of time
Hybrid £1,000 — appellate drafting rewards reviewer sign-off.
Prepare to win. Plan not to fail.
CPR 52 is public. The tests are settled. Chris drafts to them.
Ready to draft this yourself?
Chris drafts to the Litigant Standard™. You sign. You file. Pick the tier that fits your case.