amicus curiae

/euh muy"keuhs kyoor"ee ee', euh mee"keuhs kyoor"ee uy'/, pl. amici curiae /euh muy"kuy kyoor"ee ee', euh mee"kee kyoor"ee uy'/. Law.

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. Also called friend of the court.

[1605-15; < NL]

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(Latin: "friend of the court") One who assists a court by furnishing information or advice regarding questions of law or fact.

A person (or other entity, such as a state government) who is not a party to a particular lawsuit but nevertheless has a strong interest in it may be allowed, by leave of the court, to file an amicus curiae brief, a statement of particular views on the subject matter of the lawsuit. Such briefs are often filed in cases involving public-interest matters (e.g., entitlement programs, consumer protection, civil rights).

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▪ law

      (Latin: “friend of the court”), one who assists the court by furnishing information or advice regarding questions of law or fact. He is not a party to a lawsuit and thus differs from an intervenor, who has a direct interest in the outcome of the lawsuit and is therefore permitted to participate as a party to the suit.

      An amicus curiae normally may not participate except by leave of the court, and most courts seldom permit persons to appear in such a capacity. The Supreme Court of the United States, however, permits federal, state, and local governments to submit their views in any case that concerns them without obtaining the consent of either the court or the parties. Private persons may appear as amici curiae in the Supreme Court, either if both parties consent or if the court grants permission.

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