On 18 December 2025, the Judiciary of England and Wales published an updated edition of the <a href="https://www.judiciary.uk/guidance-and-resources/updated-version-of-the-court-of-appeal-civil-division-guide-2025/" target="_blank" class="news-text_link">Court of Appeal (Civil Division) Guide</a>. The update consolidates existing practice and introduces a number of targeted amendments designed to improve procedural efficiency and clarity.
The revised guide introduces a new section on consent orders. Section 10 now addresses the settlement of applications for permission to appeal and the settlement of substantive appeals, whether dismissed or allowed by consent.
Guidance on contacting the Civil Appeals Office has been strengthened. A new paragraph reminds parties to use only the email addresses specified in the guide and confirms that emails sent directly to individual staff members will not receive a response.
The timetable for serving documentation on respondents has been amended. The requirement to serve the appellant’s notice, grounds of appeal and skeleton argument within seven days of filing has been replaced with an obligation to serve documentation as soon as practicable and no later than 14 days after sealing. Related provisions elsewhere in the guide have been updated accordingly.
New provisions have been added on the listing of appeals. These set out how parties should communicate with each other and with the court regarding hearing dates, with consequential amendments affecting respondents’ obligations.
The guide also reinforces requirements relating to bundles. Parties are reminded not to submit electronic bundles via external links for security reasons and further clarification is provided on when applications for supplementary bundles should be made.
In relation to ancillary applications, the guide now requires that any application made at the permission or appeal stage must be accompanied by a draft order. Additional reminders confirm that a formal application under CPR 23 is not required for certain categories of application identified in the guide.
Clarification has been provided on required documentation when lodging an appeal. The date on which all minimum required documentation is filed is now defined as the “submitted date”, although the appellant’s notice may be sealed at a later stage in certain circumstances.
The update also addresses applications for help with fees. Where there is a delay in obtaining a fee remission certificate, an appeal will be treated as in time if the appellant’s notice, supporting documentation and the relevant fee remission form are filed within the applicable deadline.
Finally, a new section sets out the procedure for out of hours applications and directs applicants to a new prescribed form published in October 2025.
