appeal

Request, usually by a party losing a case in a lower court to a higher (appellate) court, to reverse or modify the lower court's decision. Appellate courts, in general, deal with a appeal by notionally rehearing the case through the trial notes (transcripts) before calling any witnesses. The appellant usually has to post an appeal-bond, to pay for the appellee's expenses in case the appeal is unsuccessful. In some civil cases, a winning party may appeal for an award of a larger sum in damages.