noun
instance; level of court
Legal term referring to the tier or instance of a court proceeding (first instance, second instance, etc.). Used in formal legal contexts.
第一審級の判決に不服がある場合は、上級の審級に控訴できる。
If you are dissatisfied with the judgment of the first instance, you can appeal to a higher instance.
この事件は最高裁判所が最終審級となる。
The Supreme Court is the final instance for this case.