A Practice Note addressing the preliminary issues to consider when seeking appellate review of a civil case in the Massachusetts Appeals Court or Supreme Judicial Court (SJC). This Note covers standing to appeal, appeals from final judgments, single justice appellate review, and the types of immediately appealable interlocutory orders. This Note also covers the timing of an appeal and the strategic issues to consider before filing an appeal, including standards of review, preservation of issues, and stays pending appellate review.