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not superseded by the Montana Rules of Appellate Procedure.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be taken, perfected, and prosecuted under the Montana Rules of Appellate Procedure and any controlling statutes not superseded by those rules.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Supreme Court are taken and prosecuted under the Montana Rules of Appellate Procedure and any controlling statutes not superseded by those rules.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