Glossary
Brief
A written legal argument submitted to a court. Despite the name, briefs are usually long: sometimes 50+ pages: and they're the primary way appellate courts get to know the parties' positions.
In an appeal, both sides file briefs. The appellant goes first (the opening brief), the appellee responds (the answer brief), and the appellant gets a short reply. Each brief follows specific formatting and length rules: wrong margins or wrong type size can get a brief rejected.
Briefs aren't just argument; they include statements of the case, the standard of review, and detailed citations to the record showing exactly where in the trial transcript each fact came from. Appellate judges read briefs carefully: often the briefs decide the outcome before oral argument even happens.