PoliticsJune 14, 2026

appellant

/əˈpɛl.ənt/

Definition

A person who applies to a higher court or authority for a reversal of a decision or for a legal review of a previous ruling.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'appellare,' meaning to appeal or call upon. It entered Middle English via the Old French 'apellant' as a term for one who challenges or formally calls for a legal review.

In the news

In this article, the term describes a lawyer and politician, Abelardo de la Espriella, who is known for his legal career and history of representing controversial figures in the courtroom.

Five Outcomes of Colombia’s First Round Presidential Elections

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Washington Office on Latin America | WOLA

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