Courts and procedure
Appeal
A request by a party that lost on one or more issues asking a higher court to review whether the decision was correct.[1]
In more detail
Mediated settlements are rarely appealed because the parties agreed to them. Appeals from arbitration are usually narrow: in Florida's voluntary binding arbitration, review is limited to the record and specific grounds.[2] Some appellate courts offer appellate mediation.[3]
Varies by state
This is the federal courts' definition; state courts use the word the same way, though procedures differ by state. Find your state’s rules.
Related terms
- Appellate mediationMediation that takes place while an appeal of a civil case is pending, after the trial court has ruled.
- JudgmentThe court's official decision that finally resolves the dispute between the parties.
- Trial de novoA new trial of a case from the beginning, as if an earlier decision, such as a nonbinding arbitration award, had not been made.
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Sources
The official documents this definition is based on, with the date we last read each one. Definitions are in our own words.
General information, not legal advice. MediationList is not a law firm. Spotted an error? Tell us.
Cite this page
MediationList. (2026, October 28). Appeal: Definition. https://mediationlist.com/glossary/appeal/
APA 7th ed. A retrieval date is included only for pages whose content changes, such as maps, data and tools.