appellee

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Appellee is the party against whom the appeal is filed and responds to and defends the appeal. The appellee is also referred to as the respondent. In contrast, the appellant is the party who appeals a lower court's judgment or order to a higher court. The appellant is dissatisfied with the outcome of the proceeding and seeks review by a higher court to overturn or modify the decision. In some courts, it is also referred to as a petitioner.

For example: P sues D and wins. D files an appeal. D is the appellant, and P is the appellee. If D wins the lawsuit and P files an appeal, the roles are reversed. P becomes the appellant and D is the appellee.

See also Appellate Procedure.

[Last updated in July of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team]