A supersedeas bond secures the judgment while an appeal proceeds, typically covering the judgment amount plus anticipated interest and costs. Posting it entitles the appellant to an automatic stay of execution.
Courts may accept alternative security or, in some circumstances, reduce or waive the requirement.
Alternative Names:
Appeal Bond, Stay Bond
Why it Matters?
For a defendant facing a large verdict, the bond requirement can be the practical obstacle to appealing at all, since bonding a nuclear verdict may exceed the company's capacity. Many states have enacted bond caps for this reason, limiting the amount required regardless of judgment size. Where no cap applies, negotiating alternative security or a reduced bond becomes an urgent post-verdict priority.
Frequently Confused with
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
What does the bond typically cover?
What if the defendant cannot post a bond?
