Checklist
- Explore other alternatives to lodging an appeal.
- Research previous decisions to check if there are factors about your case that could result in costs being awarded against you.
- Consider hiring a lawyer to present your appeal, or at least consult an appropriate legal professional about your case.
- Consider teaming up with other appellants to present a combined case.
- If you lodge an appeal and then change your mind, notify the respondent and the Environment Court without delay.
- Narrow your concerns to specific points and inform the other parties in the appeal about these as early as possible.
- Don't raise issues that should be dealt with in another forum or which are outside the scope of the RMA or your original submission.
- Conduct your appeal efficiently, economically and responsibly. Try to avoid unnecessary lengthening of the proceedings.
- If the Environment Court warns you that your conduct is likely to lead to you having to pay costs, change your approach accordingly.
- Remain conscious of the need to avoid causing other parties to incur unnecessary costs.
