What is the meaning of brief in a case?

Asked by: Jessika Okuneva  |  Last update: February 25, 2025
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A brief is a written argument submitted to the court. Lawyers often prepare briefs which highlight and clarify certain information or provide legal comparisons in an attempt to persuade the courtroom to rule in favor of that lawyer's client.

What does "brief" mean in a court case?

The word "brief" has two general meanings in legal parlance. As a noun it can be the written argument a lawyer files with a court in support of his or her client's case. As a verb (as used here), "briefing the decision" means to prepare a short summary of the court's written decision in a case.

What is the definition of a case brief?

A case brief is a short summary of the main points of the decision. The key is short— do not rewrite the opinion, but rather distill it down to its essence. Why brief? Besides being a good way to prepare for class, briefing has some other advantages.

What is the purpose of a written brief in a case?

The written briefs are crucial in an appeal because there is no new trial. The Court of Appeal makes its decision based on the written briefs, the record on appeal, and legal research. Each party writes a brief to explain to the Court of Appeal why they should win the appeal.

Is a brief the same as a pleading?

Pleadings: Written statements filed with the court that describe a party's legal or factual assertions about the case. Pleadings may include a complaint, an answer, a motion, or a brief.

How to Brief a Case

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Why is it called a brief?

The Meaning and Origin of 'Brief'

The French word derives from Latin brevis, nominally meaning "summary" or "short document" and adjectivally "short." Fittingly, both English words denote shortness or conciseness—chiefly in speech or writing, or in regard to time (as in "a brief description" or "a brief visit").

Why do lawyers brief a case?

Persuasive briefs (trial and appellate) are the formal documents a lawyer files with a court in support of his or her client's position. A. Case briefing helps you acquire the skills of case analysis and legal reasoning. Briefing a case helps you understand it.

Who writes a case brief?

Briefing cases is an important professional skill

As a lawyer, you will have to read and analyze cases with a careful eye to detail. You also will have to summarize cases when writing legal memoranda, briefs, and other documents and when making oral arguments to courts.

How long does it take to brief a case?

The brief drafting process typically involves researching the law, reviewing relevant documents and evidence, and outlining and organizing the arguments. This can take several hours, or even days, depending on the complexity of your case and the amount of research required.

What is a legal brief example?

Example. “This brief analyzes whether a California Court can exercise personal jurisdiction over our client, a permanent resident of Texas. The purpose of this brief is to determine our client's chances at prevailing on a Motion to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction.”

What is the meaning of brief case?

a flat rectangular bag, used especially for carrying business documents.

What is considered brief?

: short in duration, extent, or length. a brief meeting. 2. a. : concise.

What is the issue in a case brief?

The issue is a statement of the question of law that the court must answer in order to decide which party should win. A case may involve more than one issue. Sometimes the court will directly state the issue in the opinion. If so, then you can quote the court's statement of the issue in your brief.

What is the purpose of the brief?

A brief is a written legal argument presented to the court with the purpose of convincing the judge to rule in favor of your client. A brief can take various forms based on the nature and stage of the litigation.

What is the rule in a case brief?

Most importantly, by “briefing” a case, you will grasp the problem the court faced (the issue); the relevant law the court used to solve it (the rule); how the court applied the rule to the facts (the application or “analysis”); and the outcome (the conclusion).

Is a brief the same as a motion?

Think of the motion as the request by itself. The reasoning for the request (the argument) is a separate document. That is the Brief or, in lieu of the brief, Points and Authorities. Some motions may be governed by specific standards set forth by court rule or statute.

What does a brief mean in court?

A brief is a written argument submitted to the court. Lawyers often prepare briefs which highlight and clarify certain information or provide legal comparisons in an attempt to persuade the courtroom to rule in favor of that lawyer's client.

How long do you have to respond to a brief?

Appellee's brief is due 30 days after appellant's brief is served. The reply brief, if any, is due 21 days after service of appellee's brief.

What are the steps to brief a case?

Steps to briefing a case
  1. Select a useful case brief format. ...
  2. Use the right caption when naming the brief. ...
  3. Identify the case facts. ...
  4. Outline the procedural history. ...
  5. State the issues in question. ...
  6. State the holding in your words. ...
  7. Describe the court's rationale for each holding. ...
  8. Explain the final disposition.

Why do lawyers do case briefs?

Case briefs are a tool that law students may use to prepare for classes employing the “Socratic” or case method of teaching. They are also useful in preparing course outlines and for exams. You will not ordinarily turn in your case briefs to the professor.

Can anyone write a brief?

Anyone can write an amicus brief, but only an attorney admitted to practice before the Court can file the brief (see Rule 37 of the Supreme Court rules).

Do case briefs have citations?

Case name and citation

Start off your case brief with the case name and citation. While the citation is needed for reference and research purposes, it also has other purposes. It will include the names of the parties and the year and jurisdiction where the case was decided.

What does "submitted on briefs" mean?

Submitted on the briefs means that there will be no hearing / oral argument. The Court will issue it's ruling based only on the written briefs submitted by the parties.

What does writing a brief mean?

What is a brief? A brief is a summary, guide or argument that someone uses to present key points to stakeholders. It may present key relevant facts or summarize goals, challenges and other details. The specific contents of a brief depend on the type of brief and the ultimate purpose it serves.

What does a law case brief look like?

A complete case brief includes all that is relevant to the court's decision: who the parties are, what they want, how the trial and any previous appellate courts responded to the parties' arguments, the relevant facts, the issue, the court's holding, and the court's reasoning.