Who is the person filing the appeal in a court case?

In a court case, the individual filing the appeal is referred to as the appellant. This is the party who is dissatisfied with the outcome of a trial or a lower court's decision and seeks a higher court's review to overturn or modify that decision. The role of the appellant is crucial in the appeals process as they are responsible for presenting their arguments and reasons for appealing, typically claiming that errors were made in the initial trial that adversely affected the outcome.

The other roles in this context, such as the defendant, respond to charges or claims in the original trial and may or may not be involved in the appeal process. The respondent, conversely, is the party that answers the appeal, often trying to uphold the decision made by the lower court. Lastly, the judge presides over the trial or hearing but does not have a stake in the appeal. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify the appellate process and the responsibilities of each party involved.