Are the parties called the same thing on appeal as in the district court proceedings?
In a civil case in district court, the parties are usually referred to as the “plaintiff” (who starts the case) and “defendant” or sometimes “petitioner” (in family law and some other types of cases) and “respondent.” In an appeal of a district court decision, the person bringing the appeal is referred to as the “appellant.” In an appeal from a decision by a governmental agency or subdivision (a city, county, or school board), the person bringing the appeal is referred to as the “relator.” In all types of appeals, the parties opposing the appeal are called the “respondents.”
