Short for amicus curiae, meaning 'friend of the court' in legal contexts. A person or organization that provides information to assist a court's decision-making process.
From Latin amicus 'friend' + curiae 'of the court' (genitive of curia). Roman legal tradition allowed interested parties to offer advice to judges, establishing a precedent that continues in modern legal systems worldwide.
The beautiful concept of a 'friend of the court' reflects law's idealistic aspiration toward truth-seeking rather than mere adversarial combat. Amicus briefs often come from unexpected sources - scientists in patent cases, historians in constitutional disputes, creating fascinating interdisciplinary dialogues.
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