What is...?
Definitions provided with reference to U.S. Courts Glossary.
Brief - A written statement submitted in a trial or appellate proceeding that explains a particular side's legal and factual arguments.
Amicus curiae (brief) - Latin for "friend of the court." It is advice formally offered to the court in a brief filed by an entity interested in the case. It may have bearing on the case, but it has not been solicited by any party involved in the case itself.
Writ of certiorari (or simply "cert") - An order the U.S. Supreme Court issues directing the lower court to send records for a case that it will hear on appeal.
Petition - When a party wants the US Supreme Court to review their case, they will file a petition for a writ of certiorari with the Court. This petition is printed in a booklet format.
Brief Templates
- Format for Attorney Party BriefsUse this document if you are an attorney representing the parties (petitioner and respondent) to the litigation.
- Format for Attorney Amicus BriefsUse this format if you are an attorney representing an amicus group.
Use the "Format for Attorney Amicus Briefs" template if you are an attorney representing an amicus group; Use "Format for Attorney Party Briefs" if you are an attorney representing the parties (petitioner or respondent) in the litigation. These documents were created by your professor for this assignment.
Finding Briefs & Petitions Online
- USDOJ - Solicitor General"The task of the Office of the Solicitor General is to supervise and conduct government litigation in the United States Supreme Court...The vast majority of government cases are argued by the Solicitor General or one of the office attorneys."
- American Bar AssociationMerit and amicus briefs in PDF with coverage from 2003 to the current term. The ABA's Preview of Supreme Court cases gives background information, arguments, as well as merit and amicus briefs in cases before the Court.
- Oyez - Briefs & PetitionsThe "cases" section of Oyez features selected briefs & petitions.
- SCOTUSblog Case Files - Briefs & PetitionsCoverage from 2007-2013. Features case files that contain amicus, petitioner, and respondent briefs as well as petitions.
