When is a case referred to as being taken on appeal?

A case is referred to as being taken on appeal when it is elevated to a higher court for review. This process allows the party that is dissatisfied with the outcome of a lower court's decision to request that a higher court examine the evidence and the legal reasoning used in the initial trial. The goal of an appeal is often to seek a reversal or modification of the lower court's ruling, which can involve issues relating to the interpretation of law, procedural matters, or questions about the factual record.

In this context, neither the dismissal of a case, calling of witnesses, nor reaching a settlement relates to the concept of an appeal. A dismissal means that the case is terminated before it can be fully heard, and thus, cannot be appealed. Calling witnesses is part of the trial process itself and does not pertain to the appellate stage. Similarly, a settlement indicates that the parties reached an agreement outside of court, thereby concluding the matter without the need for an appeal. Therefore, the correct understanding of an appeal focuses specifically on its nature as a process of review by a higher court.