amicus curiae

noun

amicus cu·​ri·​ae -ˈkyu̇r-ē-ˌī 

-ˈku̇r-,

-i-ˌē

plural amici curiae

: one (such as a professional person or organization) that is not a party to a particular litigation but that is permitted by the court to advise it in respect to some matter of law that directly affects the case in question

Examples of amicus curiae in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Victor Williams, pro se, was on the brief for amicus curiae Law Professor Victor Williams in support of appellant. —Cnn.com, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2024

Presiding Judge Emmet Sullivan, a Clinton appointee who has overseen the case since 2017, tasked Gleeson with acting as an amicus curiae to review the case and present arguments in opposition to the DOJ's motion to drop the false statement charges against the former national security adviser. —Spencer Neale, Washington Examiner, 11 June 2020

The groups that come in, the little flotillas of amicus curiae to file briefs, funded by dark money. —Nbc Universal, NBC News, 28 May 2023

Leo’s people spent a mere $6.5 million to gin up an amicus curiae machine that, for example, aims to ensure that discriminating against gay people is federally protected. —Nina Burleigh, The New Republic, 16 May 2023

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin amīcus cūriae "friend of the court"

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

amicus curiae

noun

amicus cu·​ri·​ae

-ˈkyu̇r-ē-ˌī, -ˈku̇r-, -ē-ˌē

plural amici curiae

: one (as an individual or organization) that is not a party to a particular lawsuit but is allowed to advise the court regarding a point of law or fact directly concerning the lawsuit

an amicus curiae must file its brief…no later than 7 days after the principal brief

—Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure Rule 29

called also friend of the court

Etymology

New Latin, literally, friend of the court