Appeal

An appeal is a request for a higher authority to review a decision and potentially overturn or modify it. The term is used in law, in administrative processes, and in everyday language to describe efforts to obtain reversal or reconsideration. It also denotes a mode of persuasive communication in rhetoric.

In legal systems, a party dissatisfied with a judgment or agency ruling may appeal to a higher court or authority. Filing usually requires a notice of appeal within a statutory time limit and the submission of the trial record and written arguments. The appellate body does not rehear witnesses or reweigh all evidence but reviews the legality and fairness of the decision, typically on the basis of the record and the parties’ briefs. Standards of review vary: questions of law are often reviewed de novo, factual findings may be given deference, and discretionary rulings are assessed for abuse of discretion. The outcomes include affirming, reversing, modifying, or remanding for further proceedings.

Administrative appeals address decisions by government agencies and can follow parallel procedures, sometimes with an internal reconsideration step before court review. Remedies may involve upholding, overturning, or altering agency actions, and in some systems remanding to the agency for additional proceedings.

In rhetoric, an appeal is a strategy aimed at persuading an audience. Classical appeals include ethos (credibility), logos (logic), and pathos (emotional influence). Effective appeals align the message with audience values and expectations.