Appeal vs. Repeal: What's the Difference?
Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on November 1, 2023
Appeal refers to a request for a decision to be reviewed, or attractiveness, while repeal means to revoke or rescind a law or act.
Key Differences
Appeal and repeal are terms frequently encountered in legal and political contexts, but their meanings are markedly different. An appeal, in a legal sense, is a process by which a decision made by a lower court or body is requested to be reviewed by a higher authority. Repeal, however, pertains to the removal or revocation of an existing law or act.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 31, 2023
Beyond its legal connotation, appeal also has broader applications. It can denote the quality of being pleasing or attractive. In contrast, repeal remains firmly in the domain of lawmaking and refers strictly to the act of rescinding previously established legislation.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 31, 2023
If a litigant disagrees with a court's verdict, they might file an appeal to have the case reconsidered, usually by a higher court. Conversely, if citizens or legislators believe a law is outdated or unjust, they might work towards its repeal, aiming to have it annulled.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 31, 2023
It's essential to recognize that while appeals focus on individual decisions and their potential reversals or affirmations, repeals concern broader legislative acts. Therefore, the consequences of an appeal might impact individual parties, while a repeal can affect an entire population.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 31, 2023
In casual conversations, one might mention the "appeal of a scenic view" or a "movie's appeal." Such usage underscores appeal's versatility as a term. Repeal, with its specificity, doesn't enjoy such varied application and primarily emerges in legal and political discussions.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 31, 2023
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Comparison Chart
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Appeal and Repeal Definitions
Appeal
A request to review a decision.
The defendant filed an appeal against the verdict.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 10, 2023
Repeal
The act of revoking or annulling a law or act.
The senator pushed for the repeal of the outdated regulation.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 10, 2023
Appeal
A serious request or plea.
The mayor made an appeal for calm after the storm.
Janet White
Oct 10, 2023
Repeal
The process of officially revoking legislation.
The repeal of prohibition was a significant event in U.S. history.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 10, 2023
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Repeal
To nullify or abandon by authoritative act.
The city council decided to repeal the ordinance.
Janet White
Oct 10, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Repeal
The withdrawal or cancellation of an existing law or regulation.
The repeal of the tariff had positive effects on trade.
Sara Rehman
Oct 10, 2023
Appeal
A higher court's review of the correctness of a decision by a lower court.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Appeal
The power of attracting or of arousing interest
A city with special appeal for museumgoers.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Repeal
To recall; to summon (a person) again; to bring (a person) back from exile or banishment.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Appeal
To have recourse, as for corroboration; resort
I appeal to your sense of justice.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Repeal
To recall; to summon again, as persons.
The banished Bolingbroke repeals himself,And with uplifted arms is safe arrived.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Repeal
To recall, as a deed, will, law, or statute; to revoke; to rescind or abrogate by authority, as by act of the legislature; as, to repeal a law.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Repeal
To suppress; to repel.
Whence Adam soon repealedThe doubts that in his heart arose.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Repeal
Recall, as from exile.
The tribunes are no soldiers; and their peopleWill be as rash in the repeal, as hastyTo expel him thence.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Appeal
The legal document or form by which such an application is made; also, the court case in which the application is argued.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Repeal
Revocation; abrogation; as, the repeal of a statute; the repeal of a law or a usage.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Appeal
A person's legal right to apply to court for such a review.
I have an appeal against the lower court decision.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Appeal
(historical) An accusation or charge against someone for wrongdoing (especially treason).
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Repeal
Annul by recalling or rescinding;
He revoked the ban on smoking
Lift an embargo
Vacate a death sentence
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Repeal
To revoke or rescind formally or officially.
They aim to repeal the controversial law next year.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 10, 2023
Appeal
(historical) At common law, an accusation made against a felon by one of their accomplices (called an approver).
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Appeal
(cricket) The act, by the fielding side, of asking an umpire for a decision on whether a batsman is out or not.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Appeal
(rhetoric) A call to, or the use of, a principle or quality for purposes of persuasion.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Appeal
(historical) A summons to defend one's honour in a duel, or one's innocence in a trial by combat; a challenge.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Appeal
Of a private person: to instituted legal proceedings (against another private person) for some heinous crime, demanding punishment for the particular injury suffered.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Appeal
Of the accomplice of a felon: to make an accusation at common law against (the felon).
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
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?".
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Appeal
(intransitive) To call upon someone for a favour, help, etc.
I appeal to all of you to help the orphans.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Appeal
To summon (someone) to defend their honour in a duel, or their innocence in a trial by combat; to challenge.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Appeal
To summon; to challenge.
Man to man will I appeal the Norman to the lists.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Appeal
An application for the removal of a cause or suit from an inferior to a superior judge or court for reëxamination or review.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Appeal
Resort to physical means; recourse.
Every milder method is to be tried, before a nation makes an appeal to arms.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Appeal
Earnest or urgent request;
An entreaty to stop the fighting
An appeal for help
An appeal to the public to keep calm
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Appeal
Attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates;
His smile was part of his appeal to her
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
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
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Appeal
Request for a sum of money;
An appeal to raise money for starving children
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Appeal
Take a court case to a higher court for review;
He was found guilty but appealed immediately
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Appeal
Request earnestly (something from somebody); ask for aid or protection;
Appeal to somebody for help
Invoke God in times of trouble
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Appeal
Be attractive to;
The idea of a vacation appeals to me
The beautiful garden attracted many people
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
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
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Appeal
The power of attracting or interesting.
The appeal of a beach vacation is undeniable.
Harlon Moss
Oct 10, 2023
Appeal
A fundraising effort or call for donations.
The charity started an appeal to help the flood victims.
Janet White
Oct 10, 2023
Appeal
A challenge or call to someone to participate in a contest or event.
The team's coach made an appeal to fans to attend the next game.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 10, 2023
FAQs
Can repeal be used outside of legal contexts?
Repeal is primarily used in legal and political contexts to indicate the revocation of a law or act.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 31, 2023
What is the primary context for using appeal?
Appeal can be used in legal contexts or to describe attractiveness.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 31, 2023
How does one initiate an appeal in court?
An appeal is initiated by filing a notice of appeal with the court that made the decision.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 31, 2023
Can a law be brought back after its repeal?
Yes, a repealed law can be reintroduced and enacted again.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 31, 2023
Is the repeal of a law immediate?
The effect of a repeal depends on the wording of the repealing act; it can be immediate or set for a future date.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 31, 2023
Can appeal also mean a call for help?
Yes, appeal can mean a serious request or plea, often for assistance or support.
Sara Rehman
Oct 31, 2023
What's the difference between repeal and amend?
Repeal means to revoke entirely, while amend means to modify or change parts of a law.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 31, 2023
Is an appeal always legal?
No, appeal can also refer to attractiveness or a quality that draws interest.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 31, 2023
Who decides on the repeal of a law?
The legislative body, such as Congress or a parliament, typically decides on the repeal of a law.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 31, 2023
What's the outcome of a successful appeal?
A successful appeal can result in a decision being affirmed, modified, or reversed.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 31, 2023
What's the public's role in a law's repeal?
The public can influence repeal through voting, petitions, or voicing opinions to representatives.
Sara Rehman
Oct 31, 2023
Can an appeal process be lengthy?
Yes, appeals, especially in significant cases, can take months or even years.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 31, 2023
Can an appeal be denied?
Yes, higher courts can choose not to hear an appeal.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 31, 2023
Who can push for a law's repeal?
Legislators, citizens through initiatives, or advocacy groups can push for a law's repeal.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 31, 2023
Does a repeal require a majority vote?
Typically, a majority vote in the legislative body is required to repeal a law.
Sara Rehman
Oct 31, 2023
Can a product have appeal?
Yes, if a product attracts or interests consumers, it's said to have appeal.
Sara Rehman
Oct 31, 2023
What leads to the decision to repeal a law?
Reasons can include the law being deemed outdated, unfair, or ineffective.
Harlon Moss
Oct 31, 2023
What happens to existing cases under a repealed law?
The specifics vary, but typically, prior violations of a repealed law remain valid unless the repeal includes provisions to the contrary.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 31, 2023
Can one appeal a minor traffic violation?
Yes, individuals can often appeal traffic violations, though the process varies by jurisdiction.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 31, 2023
Can someone appeal a job application rejection?
While less common, some organizations may have processes to reconsider application decisions upon appeal.
Sara Rehman
Oct 31, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma SaeedHuma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.
