In a legal case, who is referred to as the party that appeals the case?

In a legal context, the party that appeals a case is referred to as the appellant. This term specifically designates the individual or entity that seeks a higher court's review of a lower court's decision, believing that the decision was incorrect based on legal grounds. The appellant is essentially challenging the outcome of the case, asking the appellate court to reconsider the legal rulings or interpretations made by the lower court.

For clarity, let’s consider the other roles in a legal case: the defendant is the party being accused or sued in a legal action, typically in a criminal case or civil case where they are alleged to have committed a wrongdoing. The respondent, on the other hand, is usually referred to as the party that must respond to the appeal in the appellate court, often defending the lower court's decision. Lastly, the plaintiff is the party that brings the suit in a civil case, initiating the legal action against the defendant. Each of these roles has distinct functions within the legal process, but the specific designation of the party appealing a case is clearly defined as the appellant.