amicus curiae brief

/əˈmikəs curiaɪ brif/

In law, an amicus curiae brief is a document that's filed by someone who isn't involved with a case but has information or insight that may be helpful.

The Latin term amicus curiae means "friend of the court." In legal terms, filing such a brief means helping the court the way a friend might, lending expertise or knowledge in order to clarify issues in a particular case. Someone who files an amicus curiae brief is impartial, with no personal connection to the outcome of the case.

Definitions of amicus curiae brief

1. noun

   a brief presented by someone interested in influencing the outcome of a lawsuit but who is not a party to it
   type of:

   brief, legal brief

   a document stating the facts and points of law of a client's case