The Appeals Division is responsible for handling appeals from virtually all the Law Department's litigating divisions (except for tax certiorari, bankruptcy, and excise tax appeals). It files about 700 appellate briefs annually. Lawyers in this Division represent the City before State and Federal appellate courts in matters that involve both routine litigation and unique disputes involving public policy. Appeals Division attorneys have an unparalleled variety of substantive matters making up their caseload. The number and variety of appellate issues generated by New York City give the Division an unrivaled opportunity to seek changes and developments in the law that can be particularly beneficial for the City's residents and its elected government. The New York Court of Appeals itself heard a total of 18 of the City's appeals in its 2005 calendar, about 14% of its total civil docket.