Appeal Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Appeal.

Appeal (noun)

1. A legal procedure in which a decision made by a lower court is reviewed by a higher court.
2. An official request to a higher authority requesting them to change or reconsider a decision.

For example, if someone is not satisfied with the judgment made by the trial court, they might send an 'appeal' to a higher court asking for the decision to be reconsidered. This does not guarantee change, but provides a chance to have the case looked over again.

Note: This term shouldn't be confused with "assignee", which is a person or party receiving a transfer of rights from another party.