As we approach 2026, appellate attorneys and litigants in Connecticut should take time to familiarize themselves with the most recent amendments to the Rules of Appellate Procedure, which take effect on January 1, 2026.  

As with prior years, the amendments reflect a continued effort by the appellate courts to modernize practice, streamline procedures, and align rules with electronic filing realities. Some of the changes to the Connecticut Rules of Appellate Procedure are technical, while others meaningfully affect day-to-day appellate practice. 

Below is a practitioner-focused summary of key 2026 appellate rule changes.  

Key Updates to Note:  

Certificate of Interested Entities or Individuals No Longer Automatically Required 

Several years ago, the appellate rules began requiring parties in civil appeals to file a certificate of interested entities or individuals identifying ownership or controlling interests. The goal was to assist judges and justices in identifying potential conflicts of interest early in the appeal. 

Beginning January 1, 2026, parties are no longer required to file these certificates unless ordered to do so by the reviewing court. 

See Practice Book §§ 60-4 and 63-4. 

Parties Must Update the Court on the Status of Bankruptcy Proceedings 

When a party files for bankruptcy, that bankruptcy filing generally stays a related state appeal. The amended rule now places an affirmative obligation on the parties to keep the reviewing court informed of the bankruptcy case while a stay remains in effect. 

Failure to provide required updates may result in sanctions, including dismissal of the appeal. 

See Practice Book § 61-16. 

Notice to Clients Required When Moving to Withdraw an Appearance 

Attorneys seeking to withdraw their appearance must now provide notice to their client even when a substitute appearance representing the same party has entered on the docket. 

The amendment reinforces the importance of client notice and transparency during appellate proceedings. 

See Practice Book § 62-9. 

Parties May Amend Transcript Orders as of Right (With Limitations) 

This is one of the most significant 2026 amendments. 

Under the revised rules, parties may file one amended transcript order as of right, without first seeking permission of the court. This change recognizes the practical reality that the ten-day deadline to file preliminary appeal papers arrives quickly, often before counsel fully understands which hearing dates are relevant to the appeal. 

Court permission is still required in certain circumstances, including when: 

• Adding transcripts from a different trial court matter 
• Adding hearing dates that occurred after the appeal was filed (with limited exceptions) 
• Seeking amendments after briefing milestones 

Importantly, filing an amended transcript order does not automatically impact briefing deadlines. 

As a Connecticut appellate attorney, I am thrilled to see this change. It improves efficiency while maintaining fairness to all parties. 

See Practice Book § 63-4. 

Any Party May File a Notice of Statement of Decision 

Previously, only appellants could file a notice indicating that a trial court decision had not been filed in compliance with the rules. 

Beginning in 2026, any party may file this notice. Appellees should take particular note. When a trial court enters a favorable ruling but fails to issue a compliant decision, filing a notice of statement of decision helps ensure the appellate courts have an adequate record to review—especially when alternative grounds for affirmance may be at issue. 

See Practice Book § 64-1. 

Brief Covers Must Be Updated After Transfer 

When an appeal is transferred from one appellate court to another, parties must file revised brief covers reflecting the new court and docket number under the new docket. This rule codifies the usual procedure followed after transfer. 

See Practice Book § 65-5. 

Major Amendments to Motions Practice to Conform with E-Briefing Rules 

Several years after the adoption of electronic briefing, motions practice has now been brought into alignment. Under the amended rules: 

• Motions and oppositions must include a word-count certification 
• Motions and oppositions must be filed as a single document, including any appendix 
• A single pagination scheme is required throughout 

Additional clarifications include: 

• Motions to dismiss another motion will be rejected by the appellate clerks 
• Jurisdictional objections must be raised in the opposition 

These changes promote consistency across briefs, motions, petitions, and oppositions. 

See Practice Book § 66-3. 

No More Paper Briefs Required for Electronic Filers 

Parties filing briefs under the electronic briefing rules are no longer required to file paper copies. This change saves time and expense for both attorneys and clients. 

Additional e-briefing updates include: 

• Removal of “Filed Under the Electronic Briefing Rules” from the cover 
• External hyperlinks permitted (viewed as text only) 
• Required bookmarks to each brief section and appendix item 

The rules also authorize use of Form SC044 to request deviations from briefing requirements, improving access to justice for self-represented litigants. 

See Practice Book § 67-2A. 

Reply Brief Deadlines Clarified in Appeals with Multiple Appellees 

In appeals involving multiple appellees who file separate briefs, the appellant’s reply brief is now due twenty days after the filing of the last appellee’s brief. 

See Practice Book § 67-5A. 

Limited Explanatory Discussion Permitted in Supplemental Authorities Letters 

The amended rules now allow limited explanatory discussion in supplemental authorities letters, though the letters remain capped at 350 words. 

The amendments also require certifications confirming delivery to counsel of record and compliance with the word-count limitation. 

See Practice Book § 67-10. 

Clerk Appendices May Include Trial Court Memoranda of Law 

The clerk appendix may now include memoranda of law from trial court motions and pleadings, expanding the materials available for appellate review. 

See Practice Book § 68-3A. 

Major Changes to Public Interest Applications Under General Statutes § 52-265a 

The 2026 amendments significantly restructure public interest appeal applications, including: 

• New rules governing form, substance, formatting, and word limits 
• Clarification that appellate clerks send notice of the application to the trial court and clerk 
• Creation of new rules governing oppositions 
• Shortened opposition deadline (now three days) 

Practitioners handling public interest appeals should review Chapter 83 carefully, as these changes materially alter the process. 

Single Pagination Scheme Required for Certification Petitions and Oppositions 

Petitions for certification and accompanying appendices must now be filed as a single document with a single pagination scheme, consistent with e-briefing rules. Parties must also certify compliance with applicable word-count requirements. These requirements apply equally to oppositions. 

See Practice Book §§ 84-5 and 84-6. 

What This Means for Practitioners  

The examples detailed above represent a summary of the 2026 amendments to the Rules of Appellate Procedure. As always, counsel and litigants should review the full amendments to ensure compliance with the rules.  

Disclaimer  

The information above is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice.   

If you have questions about how these 2026 amendments affect a pending or potential appeal, I am always happy to talk through the appellate rules and process. Contact me to discuss.