What is BRIEF? Definition of BRIEF in Black's Law Dictionary
A written document; a letter; a writing in the form of a letter. A summary, abstract, or epitome. A condensed statement or epitome of some larger document, or of a series of papers, facts and circumstances, or propositions.
In American practice. A written or printed document, prepared by counsel to serve as the basis for an argument upon a cause in an appellate court, and usually filed for the information of the court. It embodies the points of law which the counsel desires to establish, together with the arguments and authorities upon which he rests his contention. A brief, within a rule of court requiring counsel to furnish briefs, before argument, implies some kind of statement of the case for the information of the court. Gardner v. Stover, 43 Ind. 356. A "brief" is the vehicle of counsel to convey to the appellate court the essential facts of his client's case, a statement of the questions of law involved, the law he would have applied, and the application he desires made of it by the court. Bell v. Germain, 12 Cal.App. 375, 107 P. 630. The brief of evidence in connection with an auditor's report is considered a "brief" though it may embody the stenographic report of the testimony in full. McKenzie v. Perdue, 67 Ga.App. 202, 19 S.E.2d 765, 774.
In Ecclesiastical law. A papal rescript sealed with wax. See Bull.
In English practice. A document prepared by the attorney, and given to the barrister, before the trial of a cause, for the instruction and guidance of the latter. It contains, in general, all the information necessary to enable the barrister to successfully conduct their client's case in court, such as a statement of the facts, a summary of the pleadings, the names of the witnesses, and an outline of the evidence expected from them, and any suggestions arising out of the peculiarities of the case.
In Scotch law. Brief is used in the sense of "writ," and this seems to be the sense in which the word is used in very many of the ancient writers.
Brief a l'evesque
A writ to the bishop which, in quare impedit, shall go to remove an incumbent, unless he recover or be presented pendente lite. 1 Keb. 386.
Brief of Title
A methodical epitome of all the patents, conveyances, incumbrances, liens, court proceedings, and other matters affecting the title to real estate.
Brief Out of the Chancery
In Scotch law. A writ issued in the name of the sovereign in the election of tutors to minors, the cognoscing of lunatics or of idiots, and the ascertaining the widow's terce; and sometimes in dividing the property belonging to heirs-portioners. In these cases only brieves are now in use. Bell.
Brief Papal
In ecclesiastical law. The pope's letter upon matters of discipline.
Printed Brief
Typewritten brief is a written and not a "printed brief." Waterman Lumber & Supply Co. v. Holmes, Tex.Civ.App., 161 S.W. 70.
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That's the definition of BRIEF in Black's Law Dictionary - Courtesy of Cekhukum.com.
