Who is referred to as the appellant?

The term "appellant" specifically refers to the party that appeals a decision from a lower court, which typically means they are dissatisfied with the judgment made at that level and seek a review from a higher court. In this context, the appellant is the one who has lost in the lower court and is taking action to challenge that outcome.

While the other roles mentioned are also integral parts of the legal process, they do not accurately represent the definition of an appellant. The party that initiates a lawsuit is known as the plaintiff or claimant, while the judge’s role is to oversee the proceedings and make rulings based on the law. The legal counsel representing the defendant acts on behalf of the defendant but is not the party appealing the case. Therefore, the correct understanding of the term "appellant" aligns with the notion of being the party that lost and is petitioning for an appellate review.