Legal Definitions - legal brief

A legal brief is a written statement that outlines the legal arguments of a party in a court case, especially on appeal. It is prepared by a lawyer and includes legal and factual arguments, as well as references to authorities that support those arguments.

Examples of legal briefs include:

• Appellate brief: A brief submitted to an appeals court by a party to an appeal pending in a court exercising appellate jurisdiction.
• Amicus brief: A brief, usually at the appellate level, prepared and filed by an amicus curiae with the court's permission.
• Trial brief: Counsel's written submission, usually just before trial, outlining the legal issues before the court and arguing one side's position.

These examples illustrate how a legal brief is used in different stages of a court case, from the trial level to the appellate level. They also show how a legal brief is an essential tool for lawyers to present their arguments and persuade the court to rule in their favor.