In legal terms, what does an appeal refer to?

An appeal refers to the process in which a party requests a higher court to review and reassess the decision made by a lower court. This legal mechanism serves as a critical aspect of the judicial system, allowing for the reassessment of cases where the appellant believes that there were errors in the application of law, interpretation of evidence, or procedural mistakes that affected the outcome of the original trial.

The purpose of an appeal is to ensure that justice is served and that any potential injustices that may have occurred during the original proceedings can be corrected. This process also reinforces the checks and balances within the legal system, as higher courts provide oversight over lower court rulings.

Other options describe different legal concepts: a request to cancel a court order refers more to motions filed within the same court rather than through the appellate system, whereas a legal document that initiates a lawsuit pertains to the filing of a complaint or petition but does not involve any review of decisions. Finally, appealing based on newfound evidence could align with a specific type of motion but does not encapsulate the broader definition of an appeal in its entirety.