Rule 72.Appeal from a District Court to the Supreme Court

Enacted effective October 1, 2011 · Last verified June 26, 2026

In one sentenceRule 72 confirms that appeals from a district court to the Montana Supreme Court — and original proceedings in the Supreme Court — are taken and prosecuted under the Montana Rules of Appellate Procedure and any controlling statutes.

Full Text of Rule 72

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When an appeal is permitted by law from a district court to the supreme court of Montana, or in any case where original proceedings are commenced in the supreme court, such appeal or original proceeding shall be taken, perfected, and prosecuted pursuant to the provisions of the Montana Rules of Appellate Procedure and controlling statutes to the extent that they are not superseded by the Montana Rules of Appellate Procedure.

End

Plain-English Summary

Rule 72 is the bridge from trial-court procedure to appellate procedure. When an appeal is permitted from a district court to the Montana Supreme Court — or when an original proceeding is commenced in the Supreme Court — it must be taken, perfected, and prosecuted under the Montana Rules of Appellate Procedure and any controlling statutes not superseded by those rules. In other words, once you leave the district court, you follow the appellate rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I appeal a Montana district court decision?

Appeals to the Montana Supreme Court are taken and prosecuted under the Montana Rules of Appellate Procedure and any controlling statutes not superseded by those rules.

Does Rule 72 also cover cases filed directly in the Supreme Court?

Yes. It applies equally to original proceedings commenced in the Supreme Court, not just to appeals coming up from a district court.

Source & verification. Reproduced verbatim from the Montana Code Annotated as published by the State Law Library of Montana and the Montana Legislature. This rule has not been amended since its adoption. Adopted by the Supreme Court of Montana (AF 07-0157). Last verified June 26, 2026. · Official text

Also known as: appealnotice of appealappeal to supreme court