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Original Jurisdiction : Cases that come Courts at the appellate level review the findings
directly before the Supreme Court come under and evidence from the lower court and deter-
Original Jurisdiction. These are mainly cases mine if there is sufficient evidence to support the
related to: determination made by the lower court. Also, the

(a) Disputes between Government of India and appellate court will determine if the trial or lower
one or more States. court correctly applied the law. The highest form
of an appellate court in the US Supreme Court,
(b) Disputes between two or more States.
which hears only appeals of major importance
(c) Disputes between Union and State or
and consequence.
amongst States.
Appellate Courts vs. Supreme Courts
APPELLATE JURISDICTION
Supreme courts have more authority than
Appellate courts are the part of the judicial
appellate courts. Meanwhile, the US Supreme
system that is responsible for hearing and review-
Court is the highest authority. Supreme Courts
ing appeals from legal cases that have already
review decisions made by appeals courts.
been heard in a trial-level or other lower court.
Overall, there are 13 appellate courts on the
Persons or entities such as corporations having
federal level—12 district appellate courts and an
an unsuccessful outcome in a trial-level or other
appeals court for the Federal Circuit.
lower court may file an appeal with an appellate
court to have the decision reviewed. Appellate Many states have intermediate appellate courts,
courts are present at the state and federal levels. which serve as appeals courts meant to cut down
These courts do not include a jury. on the workload for the state Supreme Court.
Forty-one of the 50 states have at least one
intermediate appellate court.
1. Appellate courts hear and review appeals from Advisory Functions : The President can
legal cases that have already been heard in a consult the Supreme Court for legal advice on
trial-level or other lower courts. public issues. However, this advice is not binding
2. Appellate courts are present at the state and on the President.
federal levels and they do not include a jury. WRIT JURISDICTION
3. There are 13 appeals courts on the federal level,
Any individual who feels that his/her fundamen-
with each state having their own appeals court
tal rights has been violated can go to the
system, some of which include intermediate
Supreme Court for redressal. The Supreme Court
appellate courts.
can give special orders in the form of Writs.
How do the Appellate Courts Work? COURT OF RECORD

Appellate courts exist as part of the judicial The Supreme Court is the Court of Record. All
system to provide those who have judgements decisions and proceedings are recorded and
made against them an opportunity to have their printed. The lower courts in similar cases can
case reviewed. A corporation with an unfavor- refer to these decisions.
able judgement against it will likely see a drop-in JUDICIAL REVIEW
share price, but an appeal could overturn this The Supreme Court has the power to examine or
previous ruling. If an appeal is successful, the review laws passed by the legislature or orders
stock price usually jumps. issued by the executive and check whether they

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