Notice to the Profession
Revised APP 2 and GPN-eBOOKS Practice Notes
11 June 2026
The Chief Justice has updated two Practice Notes, Content of Appeal Books and Preparation for Hearing (APP 2), and eBooks (GPN-eBOOKS). These updates reflect changes to the Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth) (the Rules), as amended by the recently registered Federal Court Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Rules 2026.
1. APP 2: Content of Appeal Books and Preparation for hearings
The amendments to the Rules alter the requirements for the format and contents of appeal books and other materials. The amendments apply to appeals instituted on or after today’s date. The former Practice Notes and Rules will continue to apply to appeals filed before this date.
Appeal books must now be divided into two parts, designated Part 1 and Part 2, and must contain only the material mentioned in the applicable division of the Rules. This replaces the Part A, Part B and Part C required under the former Rules. The default position is now that a comprehensive reference index (formerly Part B) is not required, unless otherwise ordered.
It is important to note that many steps in the default timelines for the filing of appeal books and submissions are now to occur 5 business days earlier under the Rules. Updated submissions cross-referenced to the appeal book must now be filed 5 business days prior to the appeal hearing. The updated practice note sets out how documents are to be referred to in submissions filed before and after the filing of the appeal book, respectively.
It is no longer necessary to obtain Registrar approval of the index to the appeal book, although a Registrar’s assistance may still be requested by the parties.
The update also provides specific guidance for numbering preferences (dependent on the format adopted), the correct citation of authorities and other formatting requirements, including that the text can searched and copied.
2. eBOOKS (GPN-eBOOKS)
The amendments update guidance in relation to the formatting of eBooks, including ensuring that text can be searched and copied, eliminating the need to rotate pages, amending requirements for pagination, and appropriate titling of bookmarks of authorities.
D S Mortimer
Chief Justice
11 June 2026
