What are the scheduled times when a party must appear in court regarding legal matters called?

The term "court appearances" refers to the specific scheduled times when a party is required to appear in court for legal matters. This encompasses a wide range of proceedings, including hearings, trials, and other court-related events where a party's presence is necessary for the judicial process to advance. The phrase emphasizes the obligation of the parties involved—whether they are plaintiffs, defendants, or witnesses—to be physically present in court at designated times, ensuring they fulfill their legal responsibilities and can participate in the proceedings.

The other choices, while related to aspects of court processes, do not accurately capture the specific requirement for a party's presence in court. "Court sessions" generally refer to the periods or times when the court is available to conduct business, rather than specific required appearances by parties. "Legal appointments" can convey meetings or consultations that may not signify mandatory court attendance. "Hearing dates" implies specific instances related to particular matters but does not encapsulate the broader concept of appearances that can involve multiple different types of court proceedings. Thus, "court appearances" is the most accurate term to describe the scheduled obligations of parties to attend court sessions.