In an appellate court, who is the party that opposes the appeal?

In an appellate court, the term that typically refers to the party opposing the appeal is known as the "respondent." This is the individual or entity that responds to the appeal filed by the appellant, who is the party challenging the decision made by a lower court.

It is important to note that while "appellee" is also a term used to refer to the party who wins in the lower court and is opposing the appeal, it is often used interchangeably with "respondent." Therefore, the terminology can sometimes lead to confusion. However, the more prevalent and generalized term, especially in different legal contexts, is "respondent."

The appellant is the party that initiates the appeal, usually because they are dissatisfied with the court's decision. The "defendant," on the other hand, is a term commonly used in trial courts to refer to the party accused or charged in a criminal case or facing a lawsuit in a civil case. In the appellate context, the focus is more on the parties involved in the appeal itself.