Definition: An "appellate court" is a type of court that has the power to review and change the decisions made by lower courts. When someone believes that a court made a mistake in their case, they can appeal to an appellate court to reconsider the decision.
In legal discussions, you might hear phrases like "appeal to the appellate court" or "the appellate court's ruling." This shows that the appellate court is involved in reviewing or deciding on previous cases.
Appeal (verb): To formally ask a higher court to change a decision.
Appellate (adjective): Relating to an appellate court.
While "appellate court" specifically refers to a court that reviews lower court decisions, the word "appeal" can also mean to make a serious request or to attract interest.
There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "appellate court," but you might hear:
An "appellate court" is important in the legal system because it ensures that justice is served by allowing decisions to be reviewed.