Amicus Curiae
/ˈæm.ɪ.kʊs ˈkjʊə.ri.iː/noun
A person or group that is not a party to a case but offers information or expertise to the court.
Did you know?Amicus curiae is a Roman-law phrase that survived into modern courts, where an “amicus brief” can influence major decisions without the writer being a party to the lawsuit.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₃eḱ-
“To sharpen; to be sharp or pointed.”
Latin
Latin
amicus
“A friend; one who is fond of or attached to another.”
Latin
Latin
curia
“The senate-house or court; an assembly for public affairs.”
Medieval Latin
Latin
amicus curiae
“A friend of the court; one who offers assistance to a court.”
14th Century
English
amicus curiae
“A legal adviser or neutral helper to a court.”
Modern English
English
amicus curiae
“A nonparty who submits information or argument to assist a court.”