amicus curiae

English

Alternative forms

• amica curiae (feminine)

Etymology

From Latin, amīcus (“friend”) + cūriae (“of the court”), genitive singular of cūria (“court”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈæm.ɪ.kəs ˈkjʊɹ(.i)ˌaɪ/, /əˈmi.kəs-/, /-ˈkjʊɹ(.i)ˌeɪ/

Noun

amicus curiae (plural amici curiae)

1. (law, US) A person or entity who has been allowed by the court to plead or make submissions but who is not directly involved in the action.
   • BANNATYNE v BANNATYNE (COMMISSION FOR GENDER EQUALITY, AS AMICUS CURIAE) 2003 (2) SA 363 (CC) "The Court admitted as amicus curiae the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) which lodged empirical data on the state of the maintenance system in South Africa and its effect on the rights of women and children in seeking effective relief pursuant to the Maintenance Act (the Act)."
   • MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS v FOURIE (DOCTORS FOR LIFE INTERNATIONAL AND OTHERS, AMICI CURIAE)LESBIAN AND GAY EQUALITY PROJECT AND OTHERS v MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS 2006 (1) SA 524 (CC): "Prior to the hearing, applications were made by Doctors For Life International and its legal representative Mr John Smyth, to be admitted as amici curiae.
2. (law, Canada) An independent lawyer, not retained by any party, whom the court has ordered to provide legal submissions regarding the matter in dispute; for example, to provide submissions regarding the situation of an unrepresented litigant or accused person.

Synonyms

• amicus (informal)
• (law, Canada) (sense 1) intervenor