Brief

Brief, in legal phraseology, means a statement or epitome of the facts of a litigated case with a reference to statutes or decisions of the courts supposed to be applicable as indicating the law bearing on such facts. It is prepared by the plaintiff's or defendant's solicitor, and is delivered to his counsel for his instruction and guidance in conducting the case before the court. It is the practice to endorse on the brief the fee to be paid to the counsel or advocate, which is usually paid on delivery, or the solicitor becomes responsible to the counsel for the same, quite irrespectively of the result of the case.