Legal Dictionary
Appellant
Definition
The party who appeals a lower court's decision, usually seeking reversal of that decision.
Deep Dive
The appellant is the party, whether an individual or entity, who initiates an appeal by challenging the decision of a lower court. This party, having typically received an unfavorable ruling at the trial level, believes that the lower court made a significant legal or procedural error that prejudiced their case and warrants review by a higher court. The appellant seeks to persuade the appellate court to reverse, modify, or vacate the original judgment.
Examples & Use Cases
- 1A pharmaceutical company found liable for negligence in a product defect case appeals the verdict, seeking to overturn the damages award.
- 2A state prosecutor appeals an acquittal, arguing that the judge erred by excluding crucial evidence during the trial.
- 3An individual appealing a conviction for tax evasion, claiming constitutional rights violations occurred during their trial.
Related Terms
AppelleePetitionerBrief