Appellant

The appellant is the party to the proceedings who challenges an unfavourable judgment or order by lodging an appeal with a higher court, such as the Court of Appeal. This party bears the burden of formulating the grounds of appeal and conducting the appellate proceedings.

In Dutch procedural law, the position of the appellant is significant in that it affords the opportunity to have a first-instance decision reconsidered. In doing so, the appellant must satisfy certain formal requirements, including observance of the time limit for appeal and the obligation to state the grounds of appeal.

In practice, the appellant frequently determines the scope of the appeal, while the opposing party may appear as respondent.