in Law, an abridgment of the client's case, made out for the instruction of counsel on a trial at law; wherein the case of the litigant is to be briefly but fully stated.

BRIF, or Bricee, in Scots Law, is generally applicable as a preliminary step in the authentication of genealogical facts, or those which relate to descent and inheritance. It may be briefly defined as a writ issued from the Chancery, directing the proper judicial officer to empanel a jury to find a verdict in the fact.

Apostolical Briefs, letters which the pope despatches to princes or other magistrates, relating to any public affair. A brief is distinguished from a bull in being more concise, written usually on paper, sealed with red wax, and impressed with the seal of the fisherman, or St Peter in a boat. A bull is more ample, is written on parchment, and sealed with lead or green wax. (Ciampani, Dissertatio de Abbrev. Monere, cap. iii.)