The California Notice of Appeal under 28 U.S.C. Sec.158(a) or (b) from a Judgment, Order, or Decree of a Bankruptcy Judge (Form 17 PREre) is a legal document used to initiate the appeals process in bankruptcy cases. This form is specific to California and is used to notify the court and parties involved that the appellant intends to challenge a judgment, order, or decree issued by a bankruptcy judge. The Notice of Appeal is governed by 28 U.S.C. Sec.158(a) or (b), which outlines the jurisdiction of the bankruptcy appellate panel (BAP) and the district court. This provision allows parties to appeal decisions made by the bankruptcy court to a higher level of the judicial system. There are different types of California Notice of Appeal forms depending on the specific nature of the appeal. Some common types include: 1. Notice of Appeal from Final Judgment, Order, or Decree: This form is used when the appellant is challenging a final decision issued by the bankruptcy judge. It signifies the intention to seek review of the entire case or a specific aspect of it. 2. Notice of Appeal from Interlocutory Order or Decree: This form is utilized when the appellant is appealing a non-final decision made by the bankruptcy judge. Interlocutory orders refer to rulings that are not the final judgment or resolution of the case but have an immediate impact on the proceedings. 3. Notice of Cross-Appeal: In certain cases, a respondent may want to challenge the bankruptcy judge's decision in their favor or more broadly address issues within the case. The Notice of Cross-Appeal is filed by the respondent to initiate their own appeal, which runs parallel to the original Notice of Appeal. It is crucial to fill out the California Notice of Appeal correctly and accurately, including all required details such as the case number, parties involved, date of the judgment or order being appealed, and the specific issues being contested. Failure to file the Notice of Appeal within the prescribed timeframe can result in waiving the right to challenge the decision. Overall, the California Notice of Appeal under 28 U.S.C. Sec.158(a) or (b) from a Judgment, Order, or Decree of a Bankruptcy Judge, using Form 17 PREre, is an essential document for initiating the appeals process in bankruptcy cases. It allows parties to seek review of decisions made in the bankruptcy court and pursue their legal rights in a higher court.