appeal-document-summary

name	appeal-document-summary
title	Appeal Document Summary
description	Produces structured U.S. appellate document summaries mapping procedural posture, issues on appeal, standards of review, and competing arguments into memo-ready format. Use when summarizing appellate briefs, notices of appeal, records on appeal, or preparing for oral argument. Triggers: appeal, appellate, notice of appeal, standard of review, cross-appeal, appellate brief intake, record on appeal synthesis.
author	CaseMark
author_url	https://github.com/CaseMark/skills/tree/main/skills/legal/appeal-document-summary
license	Apache-2.0
version	0.1.0
execution_mode	open
jurisdiction	us
practice	litigation
language	en
tags	["summarization","summary"]

Appeal Document Summary

Generates a record-grounded, issue-driven appellate summary with standard-of-review analysis for each issue on appeal.

Prerequisites

Collect before starting:

1. Record set — lower court orders/judgment, briefs, transcripts, docket, exhibits
2. Party posture — appellant/appellee, cross-appeals, consolidated matters
3. Procedural timeline — judgment date, notice of appeal, briefing schedule
4. Jurisdictional context — appellate court, originating court, applicable rules

Quick Start

Build the memo in this order. Cite the record for every factual assertion or mark the gap explicitly.

1. Identify parties, courts, and appeal type
2. Map procedural posture and jurisdictional basis
3. List each issue on appeal with its standard of review
4. Summarize record-bound facts (disputed facts labeled)
5. Present each side's arguments with authorities
6. Assess dispositive issues and risk
7. Note related proceedings, pending motions, and deadlines
8. Flag research gaps and record supplement needs

Memo Structure

Section Outline

1. Case Caption and Courts — parties, originating court, appellate court, appeal type (as of right / discretionary / interlocutory)
2. Procedural Posture and Jurisdiction — judgment/order on appeal, notice of appeal date, timeliness, jurisdictional basis, preservation status
3. Issues on Appeal and Standards of Review — use Table 1
4. Factual Background (Record-Bound) — chronology, key record cites, disputed facts
5. Arguments and Authorities — appellant position, appellee position, conflicts or issues of first impression
6. Dispositive Issues and Risk Assessment — strongest/weakest points, standard-of-review sensitivity
7. Related Proceedings and Collateral Effects — prior appeals, parallel cases, preclusion risks, amicus/public interest
8. Pending Motions and Deadlines — motions, briefing schedule, oral argument date
9. Next Steps and Research Gaps — research tasks, record supplement needs

Required Tables

Table 1 — Issues and Standards

Issue	Appellant Claim of Error	Appellee Response	Standard of Review	Record Support	Dispositive?

Table 2 — Key Orders and Rulings