Legal Definitions - Keeper of the Briefs

The Keeper of the Briefs, also known as Custos Brevium, was a clerk who received and filed the writs that were returnable to the Courts of King's Bench and Common Pleas. This was an important role in the legal system, as writs were the formal documents that initiated legal proceedings.

For example, if someone wanted to sue another person, they would need to file a writ with the court. The Keeper of the Briefs would receive this writ and file it in the appropriate court. This ensured that the legal process was properly documented and organized.

The office of Keeper of the Briefs was abolished in 1837, as the legal system evolved and new technologies made it easier to manage legal documents. However, the role played an important part in the history of the legal system and helped to ensure that justice was served.