What is the definition of an appellant in legal terms?

In legal terms, an appellant is defined as the party that files the appeal. This means that the appellant is the individual or entity seeking to challenge the decision made in a lower court. The process of appealing typically involves claiming that there were legal errors in the trial that affected the outcome, and thus the appellant requests a higher court to review and potentially overturn the decision.

The role of the appellant is crucial in the appellate process, as it initiates the review and provides the basis for why the original ruling should be reconsidered. This can include various legal arguments, submissions of briefs, and sometimes even oral arguments before the higher court. Understanding this role is key to grasping how the appeals process functions within the judicial system.