amicus curiae

American  

[uh-mahy-kuhs kyoor-ee-ee, uh-mee-kuhs kyoor-ee-ahy] / əˈmaɪ kəs ˈkyʊər iˌi, əˈmi kəs ˈkyʊər iˌaɪ /

noun

Law.

plural

amici curiae

1. a person, not a party to the litigation, who volunteers or is invited by the court to give advice upon some matter pending before it.

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amicus curiae British  

/ æˈmiːkʊs ˈkjʊərɪˌiː /

noun

1. law a person not directly engaged in a case who advises the court

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amicus curiae Cultural  

1. See friend of the court.

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Etymology

Origin of amicus curiae

Borrowed into English from New Latin around 1605–15

Example Sentences

Third parties can also file briefs with the court to assert their own arguments; these are known as “friend of the court” or amicus curiae briefs.

From Salon • Apr. 25, 2026

Cady filed an application for an amicus curiae brief this week to oppose the resentencing.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 24, 2024

Writing in dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor cited an amicus curiae brief submitted by former consular officers explaining that the interview process is fundamentally flawed:

From Slate • Jul. 23, 2024

Snohomish, King and Pierce counties were represented as amicus curiae or friends of the court and complained that DSHS’ failures have affected local criminal legal systems across the state.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 16, 2023

Word was whispered down our line that amicus curiae meant “friend of the court.”

From "Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High" by Melba Pattillo Beals