Legal Definitions - Court of Civil Appeals

A Court of Civil Appeals is a type of intermediate appellate court found in some states, such as Alabama and formerly Texas. This court hears appeals from lower courts in civil cases, which are disputes between individuals or organizations.

For example, if someone sues their neighbor over a property line dispute and loses in a lower court, they can appeal the decision to the Court of Civil Appeals. The court will review the case and make a decision on whether the lower court made any errors in its ruling.

Another example could be a business that is sued by a customer for breach of contract. If the business loses in a lower court, they can appeal to the Court of Civil Appeals to try to overturn the decision.

The Court of Civil Appeals is an important part of the legal system because it provides a way for people to challenge decisions made in lower courts. This helps ensure that everyone has access to a fair and impartial legal process.