appealable

Appealable is an adjective used in law to describe a decision, ruling, or order that may be reviewed by a higher court or other authority through an appeals process. Whether a decision is appealable is determined by statute, regulation, and court rules, and it varies between jurisdictions and legal contexts.

In civil and administrative law, the possibility of appeal depends on whether the decision is final, what issues it raises, and whether the law provides review by an appellate body. The general rule in many systems is the final judgment rule, under which only final orders are ordinarily appealable, but many jurisdictions also permit appeals of certain interlocutory decisions or provide discretionary review.

Typical grounds for appeal include errors of law, misinterpretation or misapplication of statutes, improper procedure, lack of jurisdiction, or abuse of discretion in evaluating the facts. Appellate review is usually limited to the record of the trial or adjudicatory proceeding, and questions of fact are often reviewed for clear error while questions of law are reviewed de novo or for correctness.

Procedural aspects include time limits for filing, often measured in days, and the requirement to obtain leave to appeal in discretionary systems. Some decisions may be reviewed through specialized procedures, such as writs of certiorari or mandamus, or through administrative appeal processes, rather than a standard appeal.