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amicus curiae

Amicus Curiae literally translated from Latin is "friend of the court ." Plural is "amici curiae." 

Generally, it is referencing a person or group who is not a party  to an action , but has a strong interest in the matter. This person or group will petition  the court  for permission to submit a brief  in the action intending to influence the court’s decision . Such briefs are called "amicus briefs."

Rule 37  of the Rules of the Supreme Court of the United States  dictates the content, format, and circumstances of amicus briefs before the U.S. Supreme Court . 

In general, Rule 29  of the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure  governs amici curiae in federal courts . 

State  rules  of civil  and appellate procedure  govern amici curiae in state  cases . 

In addition to advocating  for an outcome through briefs, amici curiae sometimes participate in oral arguments  before an appellate court .

See Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt for an example of amici curiae submitting briefs to the Court, and note how frequently the majority and concurring opinions  cite to amicus briefs.

[Last reviewed in June of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team
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Keywords

• petition

• APPELLATE PROCEDURE

• supreme court rules

Wex

• trial process/advocacy

• CIVICS

• the Constitution

• THE LEGAL PROCESS

• appellate procedure

• courts

• civil procedure

• courts and procedure

• wex definitions