adjective

appellate

/əˈpɛləts/ · say it: uh·PEL·it

relating to courts that review decisions of lower courts

In Law & Justice

In more detail

1. (adjective) relating to a court that hears appeals against decisions made by lower courts

2. (adjective) having the right to hear appeals

Examples

1. The appellate court overturned the lower court's decision.
2. An appellate judge reviews cases that have been appealed.

How to use appellate

Appellate is a formal legal term used to describe courts, judges, or proceedings involved in reviewing decisions from lower courts. It is standard in legal contexts and formal written English, distinguishing the review phase of litigation from the initial trial phase. The term carries no emotional connotation and is neutral within legal discourse.

Common phrases

appellate court
appellate judge
appellate jurisdiction
appellate process
appellate division

Synonyms

appeals · reviewing

Opposites

trial · first-instance

Word family

appeal (noun/verb) · appellant (noun) · appellee (noun)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse appellate with apprentice, which sounds superficially similar but means a trainee learning a trade.

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