The Court of Civil Appeals is one of Oklahoma’s three appellate courts, along with the Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeals. An appellate court hears appeals from lower court decisions.
The Supreme Court hands off the majority of civil appeals to the Court of Civil Appeals. The Court of Civil Appeals consists of 12 justices, divided amongst four panels. Two of these panels reside in Oklahoma City, the other two in Tulsa. Members of the Court of Civil Appeals are appointed by the governor of Oklahoma from a list of three names submitted by the Oklahoma Judicial Nominating Commission. Justices are up for a retention election every six years.