Articles801 through 807 govern the substitution of parties in a case pending in a district court on appeal from a justice of the peace or city court. The substitution of parties in an action pending in the supreme court or in a court of appeal is governed by the rules of the appellate court.
Art. 821.Rules of Chapter Applicable to District Courts; Rules of Other Appellate Courts Applicable
Title III. Parties · Chapter 5. Substitution of Parties · Amendment history unavailable · Last verified July 30, 2026
In one sentenceArticle 821 applies the substitution-of-parties rules in Articles 801 through 807 to cases pending in district court on appeal from a justice of the peace or city court, while cases pending in the supreme court or a court of appeal follow that appellate court's own rules instead.
Full Text of Art. 821
Plain-English Summary
Louisiana's substitution-of-parties rules in Articles 801 through 807 were written with an ordinary trial-court case in mind. Article 821 confirms how those rules reach beyond that setting, and where they stop.
When a case reaches district court on appeal from a justice of the peace court or a city court — Louisiana's courts of limited jurisdiction for smaller civil matters — Article 821 makes clear that Articles 801 through 807 govern substitution there just as they would in a case filed originally in district court. A death, a change in legal representative, or a transfer of interest during that appeal is handled the same way.
But once a case moves up to the Louisiana Supreme Court or a court of appeal, Article 821 hands substitution off to that appellate court's own rules rather than continuing to apply Articles 801 through 807 directly. Each appellate court governs the mechanics of substituting parties in cases before it under its own procedural rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Articles 801 through 807 apply to a case appealed from a city court to district court?
Yes. Article 821 confirms that the substitution-of-parties rules in Articles 801 through 807 govern a case pending in district court on appeal from a justice of the peace or city court.
What governs substitution of parties in a case before the Louisiana Supreme Court or a court of appeal?
That appellate court's own rules, not Articles 801 through 807 directly. Article 821 hands off substitution procedure to each appellate court's own procedural rules once a case reaches that level.
Why does Louisiana distinguish district court appeals from supreme court and court of appeal cases in this article?
Because a justice of the peace or city court appeal lands in district court, which otherwise operates under the Code of Civil Procedure's own rules, while the supreme court and courts of appeal maintain their own separate procedural rules that already address matters like substitution.
Source & verification. Article text is reproduced verbatim from
the vLex (Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure, 2026 Edition). Enacted by the Louisiana Legislature.
Last verified July 30, 2026.
· Official source
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