In legal proceedings, what does the term ‘appeal’ signify?

The term 'appeal' refers specifically to a request made to a higher court with the aim of reviewing and potentially changing the decision made by a lower court. This procedural step is fundamental in the legal system, as it provides a mechanism for correcting errors that may have occurred during the trial process.

When a party believes that a legal mistake significantly impacted the outcome of their case, they can file an appeal, whereby the higher court examines the record of the lower court's proceedings and determines whether legal errors were made that warrant a reversal or modification of the decision. This process upholds the principles of justice and ensures that legal standards are correctly applied, thereby enhancing integrity in the judicial system.

The other options do not accurately capture the meaning of 'appeal' in the legal context. For example, terminating a trial or requesting further instructions from a jury pertains to different procedural aspects. The method to challenge jury selection also does not align with the concept of an appeal as it deals specifically with jury-related procedural issues rather than a review of the court's decision.