the party who appeals a decision of a lower court
"After losing his case at trial, the appellant filed a request to have the higher court review the judge's ruling."
a litigant or party that is making an appeal in court
"The appellant filed briefs arguing that the lower court had misinterpreted the contract terms during their appeal."
In plain English: An appellant is someone who asks an appellate court to review and possibly change their original legal decision because they believe it was wrong.
"The appellant argued that his original conviction was unfair during the appeal hearing."
of or relating to appeals; appellate
"The appellant's brief was reviewed by an appellate court before a final decision was reached."
In plain English: An appellant is someone who asks an appeals court to look at their case again because they disagree with the original verdict.
"The appellant's previous attempts to appeal were unsuccessful before he finally filed this case."
Usage: Use the adjective appellant only when referring specifically to matters concerning an appeal, as it is less common than its synonym appellate. Avoid using this form for general legal proceedings where no appeal has been filed.
The word appellant comes from the Old French apelant, which was borrowed into English via Anglo-Norman. It originally referred to someone who makes an appeal or calls for help in a legal context.