amicus curiae

[ uh-mahy-kuhs kyoor-ee-ee, uh-mee-kuhs kyoor-ee-ahy ]

noun

, Law.

, plural a·mi·ci cu·ri·ae [uh, -, mahy, -kahy , kyoor, -ee-ee, uh, -, mee, -kee , kyoor, -ee-ahy].

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.

amicus curiae

/ æˈmiːkʊs ˈkjʊərɪˌiː /

noun

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

amicus curiae

1. See friend of the court .

Word History and Origins

Origin of amicus curiae¹

Borrowed into English from New Latin around 1605–15

Word History and Origins

Origin of amicus curiae¹

Latin, literally: friend of the court

Example Sentences

Shortridge stated that as amicus curiae, it was his duty to see that the proceedings were without flaw.

From Project Gutenberg

Well then, I shall call him as amicus curiae; and the defendant's counsel can cross-examine him.

From Project Gutenberg

Do you deem yourself qualified to render valuable and efficient assistance to a client or to appear as amicus curiae?

From Project Gutenberg

More About Amicus Curiae

What is an amicus curiae?

Amicus curiae is a legal term that refers to a person who is not one of the formal parties in a court case but who has volunteered to provide information to the court or has been asked to do so. The term amicus curiae is often used as a short way of referring to an amicus curiae brief, which is this person’s written statement. 

A person referred to as an amicus curiae is not part of either side of a trial or acting on behalf of the court itself. Rather, they are an outside party who contributes their input to the case. 

Most of the time, an interested person or group requests permission to submit an amicus curiae brief in order to offer their advice or opinion. However, a court may also ask someone to draft an amicus curiae brief to rely on their expertise or knowledge on a technical matter or a complex law. 

The plural of amicus curiae is amici curiae. 

Amici curiae are most common in appellate courts. In particular, US Supreme Court cases often involve many amicus curiae briefs, especially in cases that focus on controversial issues. The intent of many of these briefs is to urge the judges (called justices on the Supreme Court) to side with the position that the amicus curiae supports. As such, these briefs often play a major role in courts’ decisions.

Where does amicus curiae come from?

The first records of the term amicus curiae in English come from around the early 1600s. The phrase is borrowed from New Latin and literally translates to “friend of the court.” The term friend refers to the fact that such a person is supposed to provide insight, advice, or expertise to the court to help it arrive at a just decision. 

The Supreme Court has explicit rules regarding amicus curiae briefs and how they are to be submitted. Depending on the case, the Supreme Court may dedicate a large amount of time to just accepting and reviewing amicus curiae briefs. In a typical term, the Court may accept many hundreds of amicus curiae briefs to use during scheduled cases.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to amicus curiae?

• amici curiae (plural)

What are some words that share a root or word element with amicus curiae? 

• amicable
• amiable
• curia

What are some words that often get used in discussing amicus curiae?

• Supreme Court
• appellate
• brief
• third party

How is amicus curiae used in real life?

The term amicus curiae is most commonly used in the context of the Supreme Court. Supreme Court cases, especially cases involving controversial issues, will often involve a number of amicus curiae briefs from prominent individuals or organizations.

NBC News: The federal judge overseeing the case of Ret. Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn says he'll set a schedule to receive 'amicus curiae briefs' which will allow interested 3rd parties — outside of Flynn's attorneys and the Justice Department — to file briefings with the court.

— Tom Winter (@Tom_Winter) May 12, 2020

March for Life has just filed an amicus curiae brief in the late-term Supreme Court case Dobbs v. Jackson.

We present the Court two arguments:

First, Roe v. Wade (1973) and Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992) were wrongly decided.

— March for Life (@March_for_Life) July 29, 2021

I recently discovered that one of the first BFP articles I wrote was cited in an amicus curiae brief filed with SCOTUS last year. Maybe I'm just a gigantic nerd, but this is a highlight of my journalism career.

— Jess Aloe (@jess_aloe) October 1, 2020

 

 

Try using amicus curiae!

True or False?

An amicus curiae is a legal professional employed by a court to offer advice.

More About Amicus Curiae

What is an amicus curiae brief?

A person referred to as an amicus curiae is not part of either side of a trial or acting on behalf of the court itself. Rather, they are an outside party who contributes their input to the case.

Most of the time, an interested person or group requests permission to submit an amicus curiae brief in order to offer their advice or opinion. However, a court may also ask someone to draft an amicus curiae brief to rely on their expertise or knowledge on a technical matter or a complex law.

The plural of amicus curiae is amici curiae.

Amici curiae are most common in appellate courts. In particular, US Supreme Court cases often involve many amicus curiae briefs, especially in cases that focus on controversial issues. The intent of many of these briefs is to urge the judges (called justices on the Supreme Court) to side with the position that the amicus curiae supports. As such, the briefs often play a major role in the courts’ decisions.

Where does amicus curiae come from?

The first records of the term amicus curiae in English come from around the early 1600s. The phrase is borrowed from New Latin and literally translates to “friend of the court.” The term friend refers to the fact that such a person is supposed to provide insight, advice, or expertise to the court to help it arrive at a just decision.

The Supreme Court has explicit rules regarding amicus curiae briefs and how they are to be submitted. Depending on the case, the Supreme Court may dedicate a large amount of time to just accepting and reviewing amicus curiae briefs. In a typical term, the Court may accept many hundreds amicus curiae briefs to use during scheduled cases.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to amicus curiae?

• amici curiae (plural)

What are some words that share a root or word element with amicus curiae?

• amicable
• amiable
• curia

What are some words that often get used in discussing amicus curiae?

• Supreme Court
• appellate
• brief
• third party

How is amicus curiae used in real life?

The term amicus curiae is most commonly used in the context of the Supreme Court. Supreme Court cases, especially cases involving controversial issues, will often involve a number of amicus curiae briefs from prominent individuals or organizations.

NBC News: The federal judge overseeing the case of Ret. Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn says he'll set a schedule to receive 'amicus curiae briefs' which will allow interested 3rd parties — outside of Flynn's attorneys and the Justice Department — to file briefings with the court.

— Tom Winter (@Tom_Winter) May 12, 2020

March for Life has just filed an amicus curiae brief in the late-term Supreme Court case Dobbs v. Jackson.

We present the Court two arguments:

First, Roe v. Wade (1973) and Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992) were wrongly decided.

— March for Life (@March_for_Life) July 29, 2021

I recently discovered that one of the first BFP articles I wrote was cited in an amicus curiae brief filed with SCOTUS last year. Maybe I'm just a gigantic nerd, but this is a highlight of my journalism career.

— Jess Aloe (@jess_aloe) October 1, 2020

 

 

Try using amicus curiae!

True or False?

An amicus curiae is a legal professional employed by a court to offer advice.