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Last reviewed: August 2026 · For use in England & Wales · eLitigant is a Community Interest Company (No. 16566612), not a law firm. Always check the current official form on GOV.UK before you file, and sign the statement of truth yourself.
Official form & guidance: Form N162 (Respondent’s notice) →
In short
Form N162 is the Respondent’s Notice — the form you file when someone has appealed a court decision and you want to take part in the appeal: to ask the appeal court to uphold the decision for different or additional reasons, or to cross-appeal part of it yourself. You normally must file it within 14 days of being served the appellant’s notice (CPR 52.13). If you are the one appealing you need Form N161 (Appellant’s Notice); Form N163 is the skeleton argument. eLitigant’s Chris drafts your N162 to a professional standard — you check, sign and file.
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Draft my N162 →What is Form N162?
Form N162 is the Respondent’s Notice for civil appeals (all appeals except those to the Family Division of the High Court). You use it when you are the respondent — the other side has appealed a decision — and you want to do more than simply rely on the original judgment. It lets you ask the appeal court to uphold the decision for reasons different from or additional to those the lower court gave, or to cross-appeal (challenge part of the decision yourself). eLitigant CIC is not a law firm; this is information, not advice.When do you need it — and when you don’t?
You need Form N162 if you want to: (a) argue the decision should stand but for different/additional reasons; or (b) cross-appeal. You usually do not need it if you simply agree with the decision and are content to rely on the reasons the judge gave — you can take part at the hearing without filing a respondent’s notice. If you are the party bringing the appeal, you need Form N161 (Appellant’s Notice) instead. Form N163 is the skeleton argument that sets out your legal arguments — it is not the respondent’s notice.Deadlines and permission
Under the Civil Procedure Rules (Part 52), a respondent’s notice must be filed within the time the lower court directs or, if no direction is given, within 14 days of the date you are served with the appellant’s notice (or told that the appellant has been given permission to appeal). If your respondent’s notice asks the court to change the decision (a cross-appeal), you generally need permission, just like an appellant. Miss the deadline and you may need to apply for an extension — so act quickly.What to put in Form N162
The form captures the appeal reference and parties, whether you are seeking permission (for a cross-appeal), and your grounds — the concise reasons the decision should be upheld (or varied) and the points of law or fact relied on. A separate skeleton argument (Form N163) usually accompanies or follows it. Keep grounds focused and tied to what the appeal court can actually do.Common mistakes
The biggest trap is confusing the three appeal forms: N161 (appellant’s notice, for the person appealing), N162 (respondent’s notice, this form), and N163 (skeleton argument). Others: missing the 14-day deadline; filing a respondent’s notice when you simply agree with the decision (you may not need one); and not seeking permission when your notice amounts to a cross-appeal.See it done — a Respondent’s Notice (N162) in minutes
A Respondent’s Notice (N162), drafted to a high, professional standard — Chris builds all 9 pages from your facts in minutes, where doing it right yourself can take the better part of a day. Scroll the sample below.
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Frequently asked questions
Is N162 the same as the appellant’s notice? No. The appellant’s notice is Form N161, used by the person bringing the appeal. N162 is the respondent’s notice, used by the person responding to it. What is the deadline for a respondent’s notice? Usually 14 days from being served the appellant’s notice, unless the court directs otherwise (CPR Part 52). Do I need a skeleton argument? Often yes — that is Form N163, a separate document setting out your legal arguments. It is not the same as the respondent’s notice.Form content and official guidance on this page are reproduced or adapted from material published by HM Courts & Tribunals Service on GOV.UK. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. eLitigant CIC is independent and is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, HM Courts & Tribunals Service or any government department. Always check the current official form on GOV.UK before you file.
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