Appeal vs. Revision — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 15, 2024
An appeal is a request to a higher court to review and change a lower court's decision; revision involves a re-examination of the case by the same court.
Difference Between Appeal and Revision
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
An appeal is a legal process in which a higher court is asked to review the decision of a lower court to determine if there were errors in how the law was applied or how the trial was conducted. Whereas, revision involves the re-examination of the case by the same court that initially made the decision, typically to consider new evidence or correct significant errors without the need for higher court intervention.
Appeals are formal processes that often focus on procedural errors, misinterpretation of the law, or substantive rights issues. On the other hand, revisions might be sought when new evidence surfaces that could substantially alter the outcome of the case, or when there has been a discovery of a clear error in the original judgment.
While appeals can be costly and time-consuming, requiring formal procedures and in some cases, legal representation, revisions are generally quicker and less formal, aimed at correcting oversights or errors in the administration of justice. Conversely, the scope of revisions is typically narrower than that of appeals, focusing on specific issues rather than a broad challenge to the legal reasoning or the rights of the parties involved.
Comparison Chart
Court Involved
Higher court reviews lower court's decision
Same court re-examines the case
Focus
Errors in application of law, procedural issues
New evidence or significant errors in the case
ADVERTISEMENT
Formality
Highly formal, involves legal representation
Less formal, usually quicker resolution
Cost
Generally more expensive due to higher court costs and legal fees
Less costly as it avoids higher court systems
Outcome
Can reverse, amend, or uphold the decision
Typically corrects or amends the decision
Compare with Definitions
Appeal
Has the potential to reverse or change decisions.
The appeal resulted in the reversal of the lower court's decision.
Revision
Less expensive as it does not involve higher courts.
The costs of revision were minimal compared to an appellate process.
Appeal
Often costly and lengthy due to the complexity and levels of review.
The appeal process extended over several months and incurred substantial fees.
Revision
The same court reviews the case again.
The judge ordered a revision of the case based on new evidence.
Appeal
In law, an appeal is the process in which cases are reviewed by a higher authority, where parties request a formal change to an official decision. Appeals function both as a process for error correction as well as a process of clarifying and interpreting law.
Revision
Aimed at correcting errors without changing the court level.
The revision addressed an overlooked procedural error.
Appeal
An earnest or urgent request, entreaty, or supplication.
Revision
Generally resolved faster than appeals.
The revision was completed within a few weeks.
Appeal
A resort to a higher authority or greater power, as for sanction, corroboration, or a decision
An appeal to reason.
An appeal to her listener's sympathy.
Revision
The action of revising
The scheme needs drastic revision
Appeal
A higher court's review of the correctness of a decision by a lower court.
Revision
The act or process of revising.
Appeal
A case so reviewed.
Revision
A revised or new version, as of a book or other written material.
Appeal
A request for a higher court to review the decision of a lower court.
Revision
(uncountable) The process of revising:
Appeal
The power of attracting or of arousing interest
A city with special appeal for museumgoers.
Revision
The action or process of reviewing, editing and amending.
Appeal
To make an earnest or urgent request, as for help.
Revision
The action or process of reviewing something previously learned, especially one′s notes in preparation for a test or examination.
All that last minute revision really paid off in the exam! I got top marks!
Appeal
To have recourse, as for corroboration; resort
I appeal to your sense of justice.
Revision
(countable) A changed edition, or new version; a modification.
Appeal
(Law) To make or request an appeal.
Revision
(countable) A story corrected or expanded by a writer commissioned by the original author.
A revision story
Appeal
To be attractive or interesting
The idea didn't appeal to me.
Revision
To provide with a new vision.
What philosophy needs is to be revisioned with a more hopeful, engaged inspirational point of view.
Appeal
To request for an appeal of (a case) to a higher court for rehearing.
Revision
The act of revising; reëxamination for correction; review; as, the revision of a book or writing, or of a proof sheet; a revision of statutes.
Appeal
(law)
Revision
That which is made by revising.
Appeal
An application to a superior court or judge for a decision or order by an inferior court or judge to be reviewed and overturned.
Revision
The act of revising or altering (involving reconsideration and modification);
It would require a drastic revision of his opinion
Appeal
The legal document or form by which such an application is made; also, the court case in which the application is argued.
Revision
The act of rewriting something
Appeal
A person's legal right to apply to court for such a review.
I have an appeal against the lower court decision.
Revision
Something that has been written again;
The rewrite was much better
Appeal
(historical) An accusation or charge against someone for wrongdoing (especially treason).
Revision
Often prompted by new findings.
The revision allowed the introduction of newly discovered documents.
Appeal
(historical) A process which formerly might be instituted by one private person against another for some heinous crime demanding punishment for the particular injury suffered, rather than for the offence against the public; an accusation.
Appeal
(historical) At common law, an accusation made against a felon by one of their accomplices (called an approver).
Appeal
A call to a person or an authority for a decision, help, or proof; an entreaty, an invocation.
He made an appeal for volunteers to help at the festival.
Appeal
(cricket) The act, by the fielding side, of asking an umpire for a decision on whether a batsman is out or not.
Appeal
(figuratively) A resort to some physical means; a recourse.
Appeal
(figuratively) A power to attract or interest.
Appeal
(rhetoric) A call to, or the use of, a principle or quality for purposes of persuasion.
Appeal
(historical) A summons to defend one's honour in a duel, or one's innocence in a trial by combat; a challenge.
Appeal
(law)
Appeal
(intransitive) Often followed by against (the inferior court's decision) or to (the superior court): to apply to a superior court or judge for a decision or order by an inferior court or judge to be reviewed and overturned.
Dissatisfied with the judge’s ruling, she decided to appeal.
He was advised by his lawyer to appeal against his conviction.
Appeal
To apply to a superior court or judge to review and overturn (a decision or order by an inferior court or judge).
The plaintiff appealed the decision to the appellate court.
Appeal
To accuse or charge (someone) with wrongdoing (especially treason).
Appeal
Of a private person: to instituted legal proceedings (against another private person) for some heinous crime, demanding punishment for the particular injury suffered.
Appeal
Of the accomplice of a felon: to make an accusation at common law against (the felon).
Appeal
(intransitive) To call upon a person or an authority to corroborate a statement, to decide a controverted question, or to vindicate one's rights; to entreat, to invoke.
Appeal
Of a fielding side; to ask an umpire for a decision on whether a batsman is out or not, usually by saying "How's that?" or "Howzat?".
Appeal
(intransitive) To call upon someone for a favour, help, etc.
I appeal to all of you to help the orphans.
Appeal
To have recourse or resort to some physical means.
Appeal
To be attractive.
That idea appeals to me.
Appeal
To summon (someone) to defend their honour in a duel, or their innocence in a trial by combat; to challenge.
Appeal
To make application for the removal of (a cause) from an inferior to a superior judge or court for a rehearing or review on account of alleged injustice or illegality in the trial below. We say, the cause was appealed from an inferior court.
Appeal
To summon; to challenge.
Man to man will I appeal the Norman to the lists.
Appeal
To invoke.
Appeal
To apply for the removal of a cause from an inferior to a superior judge or court for the purpose of reëxamination of for decision.
I appeal unto Cæsar.
Appeal
To call upon another to decide a question controverted, to corroborate a statement, to vindicate one's rights, etc.; as, I appeal to all mankind for the truth of what is alleged. Hence: To call on one for aid; to make earnest request.
I appeal to the Scriptures in the original.
They appealed to the sword.
Appeal
An application for the removal of a cause or suit from an inferior to a superior judge or court for reëxamination or review.
Appeal
A summons to answer to a charge.
Appeal
A call upon a person or an authority for proof or decision, in one's favor; reference to another as witness; a call for help or a favor; entreaty.
A kind of appeal to the Deity, the author of wonders.
Appeal
Resort to physical means; recourse.
Every milder method is to be tried, before a nation makes an appeal to arms.
Appeal
Earnest or urgent request;
An entreaty to stop the fighting
An appeal for help
An appeal to the public to keep calm
Appeal
Attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates;
His smile was part of his appeal to her
Appeal
(law) a legal proceeding in which the appellant resorts to a higher court for the purpose of obtaining a review of a lower court decision and a reversal of the lower court's judgment or the granting of a new trial;
Their appeal was denied in the superior court
Appeal
Request for a sum of money;
An appeal to raise money for starving children
Appeal
Take a court case to a higher court for review;
He was found guilty but appealed immediately
Appeal
Request earnestly (something from somebody); ask for aid or protection;
Appeal to somebody for help
Invoke God in times of trouble
Appeal
Be attractive to;
The idea of a vacation appeals to me
The beautiful garden attracted many people
Appeal
Challenge (a decision);
She appealed the verdict
Appeal
Cite as an authority; resort to;
He invoked the law that would save him
I appealed to the law of 1900
She invoked an ancient law
Appeal
A formal request to a higher court to review a decision.
The defendant filed an appeal against the verdict.
Appeal
Involves the re-evaluation by appellate courts.
The appeal was heard in the appellate court.
Appeal
Primarily concerned with legal errors or procedural fairness.
The appeal argued that the law was misapplied.
Common Curiosities
What is an appeal?
An appeal is a process by which a higher court reviews the decision of a lower court.
How does an appeal differ from a revision in focus?
Appeals focus on legal errors or procedural issues, while revisions often deal with new evidence or correcting significant case-specific errors.
Can a revision change the outcome of a case?
Yes, a revision can alter the outcome by amending the decision based on new facts or errors.
What types of legal cases can undergo revision?
Most civil and criminal cases can undergo revision if substantial errors or new evidence are presented.
What is a revision in legal terms?
A revision involves re-examining a case by the same court to address errors or new evidence.
Who can initiate a revision?
A revision can be initiated by any party to the case or by the court itself if significant errors are identified.
Are the results of an appeal binding?
Yes, the results of an appeal are binding and can have wider legal implications.
Is legal representation required in a revision?
While not always mandatory, legal representation can be beneficial in navigating the complexities of revision proceedings.
Which is generally more costly, an appeal or a revision?
Appeals are usually more costly due to the involvement of higher courts and more complex legal procedures.
What triggers an appeal?
An appeal is triggered by dissatisfaction with a court's decision, alleging errors in the application of law or procedural issues.
How long does an appeal process typically take?
The duration of an appeal can vary widely, often taking several months to years depending on the complexity.
What happens if an appeal is denied?
If an appeal is denied, the original decision stands as final unless further appeal to a higher court is pursued.
Can a revision process be appealed?
Yes, the outcome of a revision can also be appealed to a higher court.
What is the role of evidence in a revision?
In a revision, new or overlooked evidence plays a crucial role in re-evaluating the case.
How do courts determine if a revision is necessary?
Courts consider whether new facts have emerged or if there were significant errors in the initial proceedings that could impact the fairness or accuracy of the decision.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Bass vs. Baritone
Next Comparison
Education vs. LiteracyAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
