What does "remand" mean in the context of appeals?

In the context of appeals, "remand" refers to the action taken by an appellate court to send a case back to the lower court for further proceedings. This typically happens when the appellate court finds that there was an error in the original trial process or that additional evidence needs to be considered. The purpose of remanding a case is to ensure that the legal issues are properly addressed and that justice is served according to the law.

When a case is remanded, the lower court might be instructed to conduct a new trial, reconsider evidence, or take specific actions to correct the legal issues identified by the appellate court. This process can serve to clarify legal points, adjust rulings based on new findings, or facilitate a more thorough examination of the case's facts.

In contrast, upholding the original decision would mean that the appellate court agrees with the earlier ruling and does not see any need for further action. Dismissing the case entirely means the court has decided not to proceed with it, which is a different outcome from remanding. Issuing a new ruling based on evidence refers to situations where the appellate court makes its own decision instead of sending the case back, which is also distinct from remanding.