Legal Definitions - appellee

Definition: The appellee is the party against whom an appeal is filed and who responds to and defends the appeal. It is also known as the respondent. The appellant, on the other hand, is the party who appeals a lower court's decision to a higher court.

Example: Let's say that Person A sues Person B and wins the case. If Person B is not happy with the outcome, they can file an appeal. In this scenario, Person B becomes the appellant, and Person A becomes the appellee. Person B is appealing the decision made by the lower court, and Person A is defending the decision.

If Person B wins the appeal, the roles are reversed. Person A can file an appeal, and Person B becomes the appellee, while Person A becomes the appellant.

Explanation: The example illustrates how the appellee is the party that responds to and defends the appeal. In the first scenario, Person A is the appellee because they are defending the lower court's decision. In the second scenario, Person B becomes the appellee because they are defending the decision made by the higher court.