Home > West's Encyclopedia of American Law > Appellant

A person who, dissatisfied with the judgment rendered in a lawsuit decided in a lower court or the findings from a proceeding before an ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY, asks a superior court to review the decision.

An appellant, sometimes called the petitioner, must demonstrate sufficient grounds for appeal, which are usually specified by statute, in order to challenge the judgment or findings.

Whether a party was a plaintiff or defendant in the lower court has no bearing on his or her status as an appellant.