court of appeals: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Legal
Quick answer
What does “court of appeals” mean?
An appellate court that hears appeals from the decisions of lower courts.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An appellate court that hears appeals from the decisions of lower courts.
A court with the authority to review decisions made by trial courts or other tribunals, focusing on legal procedure and application of law rather than re-examining facts. In some jurisdictions, it is also called the Court of Appeal(s) and is the final domestic court before the supreme court.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'Court of Appeal' typically refers to one of the two most senior courts (Civil and Criminal Divisions). In the US, there are multiple 'courts of appeals' (e.g., federal circuit courts, state-level courts). The UK term is singular and capitalised, the US term can be plural.
Connotations
Both have a strictly formal, authoritative connotation. The UK term often implies a final domestic step before the Supreme Court. The US term is part of a federal or state tiered system.
Frequency
Much more frequent in legal contexts. In everyday conversation in both regions, 'appeals court' is a common, less formal alternative.
Grammar
How to Use “court of appeals” in a Sentence
The [case/decision] went to the court of appeals.The [court of appeals] [affirmed/overturned/reversed] the ruling.[Someone] appealed to the court of appeals.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “court of appeals” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The defendant sought to appeal to the Court of Appeal.
- The case was appealed up to the Court of Appeal.
American English
- The attorney will appeal to the court of appeals.
- They are appealing the decision to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
adjective
British English
- The Court of Appeal judge delivered a landmark ruling.
- A Court of Appeal decision set a new precedent.
American English
- The court of appeals hearing lasted three days.
- She is a court of appeals magistrate.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in contexts involving litigation or regulatory disputes.
Academic
Frequent in law, political science, and criminology texts discussing judicial processes.
Everyday
Very rare; simplified terms like 'appeals court' or just 'appeal' are used.
Technical
Core term in legal drafting, court documents, and judicial administration.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “court of appeals”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “court of appeals”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “court of appeals”
- Using lowercase for specific institutional names (e.g., 'the court of appeal' for the UK body). Confusing it with 'supreme court'. Using plural 'appeals' incorrectly in UK context (should be 'Court of Appeal').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. In the UK, it is a single, specific high court. In the US, 'court of appeals' refers to a tier of courts (federal circuits and state-level courts).
Generally, no. Appeals courts typically review the application of law and procedure based on the record from the lower court, not new facts.
In a hierarchical system, the court of appeals is an intermediate appellate court. The supreme court is usually the court of last resort (highest appellate court).
Yes, 'appeals court' or 'appellate court' are perfectly acceptable and often used in less formal contexts.
An appellate court that hears appeals from the decisions of lower courts.
Court of appeals is usually formal, legal in register.
Court of appeals: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɔːt əv əˈpiːlz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkɔrt əv əˈpilz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To take it all the way to the court of appeals”
- “A court of appeals lifer (referring to a long-serving judge)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A 'court' where you 'appeal' a decision. It's not the first stop (trial), but the second, where you 'appeal' for a different outcome.
Conceptual Metaphor
JUDICIAL SYSTEM IS A LADDER (trial court is a lower rung, court of appeals is a higher rung).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes the primary function of a court of appeals?