The Court of Appeal has been described as the engine room of our judicial system in England and Wales. It hears appeals in all our leading cases in civil and family justice.

Its judges are concerned with upholding the rule of law. We are also concerned to do our best to ensure that our procedures are easy to access, and easy to understand.

Here you will find a wealth of information about the Court, its Judges, its processes and the places where help can be found.

Our higher courts

The Court of Appeal's calendar year is divided into four terms. Hearings in the Court of Appeal are generally held during nine calendar months but the Court also sits during the vacations between terms.

The term dates for 2008-2009:

• Michaelmas Term - Wednesday 1st October 2008 to Friday 19th December 2008.
• Hilary Term - Monday 12th January 2009 to Wednesday 8th April 2009. 
• Easter Term - Tuesday 21st April 2009 to Friday 22nd May 2009. 
• Trinity Term - Tuesday 2nd June 2009 to Friday 31st July 2009.

From Monday 30th June it will no longer be possible to pay fees at the Civil Appeals Office, Room E307.

All fees will be payable at the Royal Courts of Justice Fees Office, Room E01. This will offer a centralised service with dedicated cashiers to assist customers with payment of fees and fee queries.

Customers should ensure that they have paid the relevant fee and have the machined receipt for this endorsed on their process, before attending the Civil Appeals Office to issue.