Briefs - LAW 499 | U.S. Supreme Court - LibGuides at Lebanon Valley College

What are ... ?

Before presenting their oral arguments, lawyers for both sides submit briefs, which summarize the facts of the case, provide supporting evidence, detail the legal reasoning behind their arguments.

Briefs are often also filed by "friends of the court" (amicus curiae).

"Friends of the court" describes a person--or organization--who is not part of the lawsuit, but has a strong interest in the case.

Image source: Wikimedia Commons, United States Department of Justice. Public Domain.

Find Briefs

Briefs Filed by the Soliciter General
From 1985 to present, all briefs filed by the Solicitor General, except responses to IFP cases. From 1993-1996 and 1986-1990 Solicitor General merits briefs and responses. From 1982-1985 Solicitor General merits briefs. Please see the web site for information on omissions, arrangement, and formats.
US Supreme Court Dockets (with Briefs)
Electronic versions of most brief filings submitted after November 13, 2017, are available through the docket for the particular case.