In a legal appeal, who is referred to as the appellant?

In a legal appeal, the appellant is the party who initiates the appeal process. This individual or entity is dissatisfied with the decision made by a lower court and seeks to challenge that decision in a higher court. In most legal systems, the appellant is responsible for outlining the reasons for the appeal and presenting their case as to why the initial ruling should be overturned or modified.

This role is crucial because it sets the stage for the appellate court to review the issues raised, examine the record from the lower court, and make determinations based on the arguments presented. Understanding who the appellant is helps clarify the flow of a legal appeal, as they are often the ones driving the process to seek a different outcome from a higher judicial authority.