Who is the appellee or respondent in an appeal process?

In the appeal process, the appellee or respondent is the party against whom the appeal is made. This means that after a decision has been rendered in a lower court, the losing party (appellant) may seek to challenge or overturn that ruling. The appellee or respondent, on the other hand, will defend the judgment of the lower court. They are typically the party that prevailed in the original case, and their main role in the appeal is to argue why the original decision should be upheld.

This choice accurately reflects the dynamics of appellate litigation and the roles of the parties involved, clarifying that the appellant is the one seeking change, while the appellee seeks to maintain the status quo established by the lower court's decision. Understanding this distinction is crucial for grasping the appellate process and the legal principles at play.