(n. 1) any lower court, such as a local or judicial court under a high or district court, a high or district court under an appellate court, or a district federal court of appeals under the Supreme Court of the United States. (2) a referral to the court of first instance which originally heard the case. Typical wording of an appeal decision: “In the lower court, the judge ruled that the defendant had no basis for.” Lower Court. Merriam-Webster.com Legal Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, www.merriam-webster.com/legal/lower%20court. (accessed October 11, 2022).