控訴

• Reading: こうそ
• Romaji: kouso
• Kanji breakdown: 控 (kou) — restrain, appeal, withhold; 訴 (so) — accuse, sue, appeal
• Pronunciation: /koː.so/

Meaning

Appeal to a higher court; intermediate appeal. The act of requesting a higher court to review a lower court's decision.

A noun and suru-verb specifically referring to an appeal from a district court (地方裁判所) to a high court (高等裁判所) in Japan's three-tier court system. Distinguished from 上告 (joukoku, final appeal to the Supreme Court). The full phrase 控訴する (kouso suru, to appeal) is standard legal language. Japan allows one intermediate appeal (控訴) and one final appeal (上告).

Examples

1. 被告側は判決を不服として控訴した。 The defense appealed, dissatisfied with the verdict.
2. 控訴審は来月から始まる予定だ。 The appeals court hearing is scheduled to begin next month.
3. 一審の判決に対して控訴する権利がある。 There is a right to appeal against a first-instance ruling.

Usage Guide

Context: law, court proceedings, news

Tone: serious

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 控 (kou, restrain/appeal) + 訴 (so, accuse/sue). Literally 'to restrain and appeal' — seeking a higher authority to review and potentially reverse a decision.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal