Who is identified as the party that initiates an appeal in a legal case?

The party that initiates an appeal in a legal case is referred to as the appellant. This individual or entity has typically lost a decision in a lower court and seeks a review of that decision by a higher court. Their objective is to challenge the ruling, arguing that there were errors in the application of law or procedure that warrant a different outcome.

In the context of legal terms, the appellant is distinct from others involved in the appeal process. The appellee is the party that responds to the appeal, typically the one who won in the lower court, while the respondent may refer to the party being addressed in certain legal contexts. The defendant is commonly a term used to describe an individual accused in a criminal case or a party being sued in a civil case, and does not directly relate to the appeal process. Therefore, identifying the appellant correctly highlights their crucial role within the appellate system.