An amicus curiae is a person or organization that is not a party but has an interest in the issues and seeks to inform the court through a brief. Filing generally requires party consent or leave of court.
Amicus participation is most common in appellate courts addressing questions with broad implications.
Alternative Names:
Friend of the Court, Amicus Filing
Why it Matters?
Amicus briefs matter most where a decision would affect an industry beyond the parties, and trade associations, insurers, and defense organizations coordinate filings for that reason. Their practical value is supplying context and consequences the parties cannot address, since the parties are constrained to their own records. Federal rules require disclosure of authorship and funding, which limits the use of nominally independent amici.
Frequently Confused with
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
Who files amicus briefs?
Is leave required to file?
