What is the term used for the party appealing a court decision?

The term used for the party appealing a court decision is "appellant." This designation specifically refers to an individual or entity that initiates an appeal, indicating their dissatisfaction with a lower court's ruling and seeking a higher court's review of that decision. The appellant is essentially asking the appellate court to evaluate whether there were legal errors in the application of law or facts in the previous court proceedings that warrant a change in the ruling.

In contrast, the defendant is the party being accused or sued in a legal action, while the plaintiff is the party that brings the case to court seeking a legal remedy. The respondent, on the other hand, is the party responding to the appeal, acting in defense against the appellant's request for a change to the court's decision. Thus, while other terms represent different roles within the legal process, "appellant" specifically captures the role of the party seeking to overturn a prior judgment.