A brief is a written legal document filed in a litigation or arbitration dispute resolution proceeding in which a party to the dispute recites the facts and the law applicable to the dispute and explains to the court or arbitrator why the party should prevail in the dispute. Courts often have rules regarding the page limits and format for briefs, as well as the method for filing briefs (usually electronically) and delivery of a copies to other parties to the litigation.

In California, a brief is a formal legal document submitted to a court by a party involved in litigation or arbitration. The brief presents the party's arguments, outlining the relevant facts and applicable laws, and seeks to persuade the court or arbitrator of the party's position. California courts have specific rules regarding the preparation and submission of briefs, which include guidelines on page limits, formatting, and citation styles. These rules can be found in the California Rules of Court, and they vary depending on the court and the type of case. For instance, the California Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal have different requirements than the Superior Courts. Additionally, California has embraced electronic filing (e-filing), and most courts require briefs to be filed electronically through designated e-filing systems. Parties are also typically required to serve copies of their briefs on all other parties involved in the litigation. It is important for parties to adhere to these rules to ensure their briefs are accepted by the court and properly considered in their case.