What is the term for a request to a higher court to review a decision made by a lower court?

The term for a request to a higher court to review a decision made by a lower court is "appeal." An appeal is a formal process whereby a party who is dissatisfied with a lower court's ruling seeks to have that decision overturned or modified by a higher court. This process is fundamental in the judicial system, as it allows for the correction of errors, the clarification of the law, and the protection of rights.

In the context of legal proceedings, a party must often provide specific grounds for the appeal, demonstrating that legal mistakes occurred during the original trial that affected the outcome. This can include issues like misinterpretation of the law, procedural errors, or excessive penalties.

While other terms such as "claim," "review," and "petition" may be associated with various legal processes, they do not accurately describe the action of seeking a higher court's oversight over a lower court's decision in the same way that "appeal" does. A claim refers to a demand for something as a right, a review might imply a reassessment but not necessarily involve a higher court, and a petition often refers to a request for a particular order or judgment, which might also occur at the same level of court. Therefore, "appeal" is the