Brief - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition brief

Definition :

Brief [fr. brevis, Lat.; brief, Dutch, a letter], an abbreviated statement of the pleadings, proofs, and affidavits in any legal proceeding, with a concise narrative of the facts and merits of the plaintiff's case, or the defendant's defence, for the instruction of counsel at the trial or hearing. See BARRISTER.

Also a document bearing the royal signature addressed to bishops and clergy, authorizing the collection in churches of money for charitable purposes therein mentioned. The issue of such documents was regulated by 4 Anne, c. 14, repealed by 9 Geo. 4, c. 42, and is still legal, though disused for many years.

Brief, is a breviated statement of a case which comprises a barrister's instructions to appear at a hearing. It contains all the information and papers to be used by the barrister to conduct the case, including proofs of all witnesses' evidence. Acceptance of brief does not give rise to any contractual obligation between a barrister and either the professional or lay client, Halsbury's Laws of England, Vol. 3(1), 4th Edn., Para 459, p. 365.

Means a concise statement of a client's case written for the instruction of an attorney usually by a law clerk; a formal written presentation of an argument that sets forth the main points with supporting precedents and evidence, Webster's Dictionary of Law, Indian Edn. (2005), p. 60.

Means a written statement setting out the legal contentions of a party in litigation, especially on appeal, a document preferred by counsel as the basis for arguing a case, consisting of legal and factual arguments and the authorities in support of them, Black Law Dictionary, 7th Edn., p. 186.