What is Amicus Curiae?

A legal term which translated means “friend of the court”. The Amicus Curiae or Amicus Brief is a written document or person or organization that presents the court with a different perspective or information on a case.

When is an Amicus Curiae Brief Used?

The Amicus Curiae is a report which is presented by someone who doesn’t have a direct interest in the case, and instead intervenes to defend the interest especially when fundamental rights are at stake and need defended. In this manner, the judicial system enables those who are not necessarily a part of the court proceedings to provide the judge with additional arguments for those fields they have been acknowledged as experienced in.

Because of this the Amicus Curiae does not have a binding effect on the judge it is addressed to. It’s purpose is not an enforcement of the arguments rather than to share them as provided so there is no impairment of the independence. However, on the other hand, the Amicus Curiae seeks to help reinforce the independence to help guarantee that these judges come to a decision by contrasting the different points of views which are applicable to the case they are reviewing. This can help to contribute to the credibility of the judges actions and decisions. It is because of this significance that the use of this method has thus been extended to many national legal systems like ours.