What is an appeal bond?

An appeal bond, also known as a supersedeas bond, is a type of surety bond that allows a party who has lost a court case and intends to appeal the decision to stay the enforcement of the judgment until the appeal is heard. The purpose of an appeal bond is to ensure that the party appealing the decision will be able to pay the judgment if the appeal is unsuccessful.

The amount of an appeal bond is typically set by the court and is equal to the amount of the judgment, plus any additional costs and fees that may be incurred during the appeal process. The party appealing the decision must secure the bond through a surety company, which will guarantee payment to the opposing party if the appeal is unsuccessful.

In some cases, the court may waive the requirement for an appeal bond or reduce the amount required if the party appealing the decision can demonstrate financial hardship. However, in most cases, an appeal bond is a necessary requirement for staying the enforcement of a judgment pending an appeal.

It is important to note that an appeal bond is not the same as an appeal fee, which is a separate cost that may be required to file an appeal with the court. Additionally, the party appealing the decision may be responsible for paying ongoing interest on the judgment amount while the appeal is pending.