Question

In a landmark case, the Supreme Court was handling a highly technical environmental dispute involving multiple stakeholders and scientific complexities. Given the intricate details of environmental policies and scientific evidence, the Court appointed an amicus curiae, an expert in environmental law and science, to assist by providing impartial information and insights on the matter. The amicus curiae made recommendations based on international standards, which helped the Court in reaching its final decision.
Based on the concept of amicus curiae, which of the following statements is correct?

• A. The amicus curiae advocates for the interests of the public and acts as a representative for the government.
• B. The amicus curiae serves as the legal advisor to the party that requests their assistance in the case.
• C. The amicus curiae assists the Court by providing impartial expertise on complex issues, without representing any party in the case.
• D. The amicus curiae is only allowed to assist in cases related to constitutional matters.

Hint:

An amicus curiae is appointed to assist the court with unbiased expertise on complex matters—not to advocate for any party.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Amicus Curiae literally means “friend of the court.” This person is not a party to the case but is appointed by the court to offer expertise or insight that is relevant to the issues in the case. The amicus curiae does not represent any of the litigants; instead, their role is to assist the court by providing neutral, expert opinions on complex matters such as environmental science, constitutional interpretation, or public policy.
In this case, the Supreme Court appointed an amicus curiae to navigate the complex scientific and policy details of the environmental dispute. The expert offered valuable, unbiased input which helped the Court make an informed decision.