Who is an "appellant" in legal disputes?

An appellant is defined as the party who appeals a decision made by a lower court, seeking to have that decision altered or overturned by a higher court. This role is crucial in the legal process, as it emphasizes the rights of individuals or entities to challenge decisions that they believe are unjust or incorrect.

In the context of the choices provided, the appellant is the one pursuing a change in the court's ruling, thereby initiating the appeal process. This often involves presenting new arguments or evidence to persuade the appellate court to rule in their favor. Understanding this role is essential for anyone studying legal procedures, as it highlights the dynamics of the appeals process and the principles of justice and judicial review.

The other choices don’t accurately reflect the role of an appellant: the accused party does not necessarily challenge the court's decision, a judge presiding over a case is a neutral party, and the one responding to an appeal is typically known as the appellee, not the appellant.