Legal Dictionary
Appeal
Definition
A legal proceeding by which a case is brought before a higher court for review of the decision of a lower court.
Deep Dive
An appeal is a formal legal process by which a party dissatisfied with a decision made by a lower court requests a higher court to review that decision. The purpose of an appeal is not to retry the case or introduce new evidence, but rather to identify and correct errors of law or procedural missteps that may have occurred during the initial trial or hearing. It acts as a safeguard to ensure the fair and correct application of justice within the judicial system.
Examples & Use Cases
- 1A criminal defendant appeals their conviction, arguing that the trial judge made an error in admitting certain evidence.
- 2A corporation appeals a large monetary judgment in a breach of contract case, claiming misinterpretation of a key clause by the trial court.
- 3A family appeals a child custody ruling, asserting that the lower court did not properly consider all relevant factors.
Related Terms
Appellate CourtReversalRemand