A process whereby a defendant can complain about and seek remedy for a court decision that he or she considers unjust. In criminal cases in England and Wales, appeals against conviction or sentence in a magistrates' court are heard in a Crown Court, and appeals against decisions made in a Crown Court are heard it the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) or, finally, the House of Lords.A Crown Court has the power to increase as well as reduce a sentence, but the Court of Appeal does not have this power. However, a sentence may be increased by the Court of Appeal inf it has been referred by the Attorney General as being unduly lenient, although this is not an appeal.In civil cases, appeals are dealt with in the High Court and the Court of Appeal (civil division)