The party who won in the lower court and now must defend that victory against an appeal filed by the losing party. The appellee argues that the lower court's decision should be upheld.
From Latin 'appellare' (to call upon) with the suffix '-ee' indicating the recipient of an action. The appellee is the one being 'called upon' or challenged through the appeal process initiated by the appellant.
The appellee is in the enviable position of having already won once - they're like the defending champion who just needs to convince the appellate court not to mess with a good thing! Their job is usually easier: defend the status quo rather than argue for change.
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