What is an amicus curiae brief?

An amicus curiae brief is a legal document that is submitted to a court by an individual or organization that is not a party in the case. The person or organization who files the brief is known as an amicus curiae, which is Latin for “friend of the court.” Generally, an amicus curiae brief provides the court with information that is not contained in the original case and can provide expertise or insights that the court may not have. In Mississippi, an amicus curiae brief may be submitted in an appellate court case. An appellate court is a court that reviews decisions that have been made by a trial court. While the appellate court reviews a case, anyone who is not a party to the case may submit an amicus curiae brief to provide the court with any additional information that may be relevant to the case. In addition to providing additional information, an amicus curiae brief may also suggest a certain interpretation of the law to the court. In order for the brief to be accepted by the court, it must meet certain criteria and be within the same jurisdiction as the appeal. The court is not obligated to consider or accept any of the information contained in an amicus curiae brief, but it may be useful in helping the court make a decision.

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What is an amicus curiae brief?

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