appellee | Definition

Doc's CJ Glossary by Adam J. McKee
Course: Procedural Law

An appellee is a party who opposes an appellant’s appeal, and who seeks to persuade the appeals court to affirm the lower court’s decision.


The legal term appellee refers to a party who opposes an appellant’s appeal and seeks to persuade the appeals court to affirm the lower court’s decision. This term is typically used in the context of appeals, which are a key part of the legal system and provide a mechanism for challenging the decisions of lower courts.

An appellant is a party who initiates an appeal, seeking to have a higher court review and possibly overturn the decision of a lower court. In response, the appellee is the party that opposes the appeal and seeks to convince the higher court that the lower court’s decision was correct and should be upheld.

In criminal matters, the appellee is often the state or an agent of the state, such as a prosecutor or a prison warden. The appellee’s role in these cases is to defend the lower court’s decision and argue that the defendant’s appeal should be denied. This may involve presenting legal arguments, submitting evidence, and responding to the appellant’s arguments.

The appellee’s role in civil cases may vary depending on the nature of the case and the parties involved. For example, in a personal injury lawsuit, the appellee may be an insurance company or the defendant who was found liable for the plaintiff’s injuries. The appellee’s role in these cases is to defend the lower court’s decision and argue that the plaintiff’s appeal should be denied.

In some cases, the appellee may also file a cross-appeal, seeking to have the appeals court review and possibly overturn some aspect of the lower court’s decision that was unfavorable to them. This can lead to complex legal proceedings and arguments, as both the appellant and the appellee seek to persuade the appeals court to rule in their favor.


[ Glossary ]

Last Modified: 05/03/2023

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