Any court that is inferior to another court. Lower courts usually consist of trial courts and intermediate appellate courts, which issue decisions that are subject to review or to appeal to a higher (appellate) court. For example, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is considered a lower court relative to the U.S. Supreme Court. Some lower courts also have limited jurisdiction. See also inferior court.
[Last updated in July of 2020 by the Wex Definitions Team]