What does "appeals court" refer to?

An appeals court refers to a court that has the authority to review and evaluate decisions made by lower courts. The primary function of an appeals court is to ensure that the law was applied correctly in the lower court's ruling. It does not conduct original trials or hear new evidence; rather, it examines the proceedings of the trial court to determine if there were errors in the application of the law or in legal procedures that could have affected the outcome.

While some appeals courts may specialize in certain areas of law, such as family law or criminal cases, their overarching role remains consistent across all legal contexts: to review, interpret, and potentially overturn or uphold the decisions made by other courts. This distinctive function is crucial to the judicial system, as it provides a mechanism for checks and balances and helps ensure fairness and justice in legal proceedings.