Friend of the Court

A person who has a strong interest in a matter that is the subject of a lawsuit in which he or she is not a party.

A friend of the court may be given permission by the court to file a written statement of his or her views on the subject, ostensibly to bolster the case of one party but even more to persuade the court to adopt the party's views. The Latin translation, AMICUS CURIAE, is used most often for a friend of the court; the written argument that he or she files may be called an amicus curiae brief.