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 Vermont, a brief is a formal document submitted to a court, arbitrator, or other judicial body during litigation or arbitration. It presents the submitting party's arguments, relevant facts, and legal precedents to support their position in the dispute. Vermont courts have specific rules regarding the preparation and submission of briefs, which can be found in the Vermont Rules of Appellate Procedure for appellate cases, and in local court rules for trial-level cases. These rules outline requirements for the content, format, length, and filing procedures for briefs. For instance, there are often limitations on the number of pages or word count, and requirements for the typeface and margins to ensure readability. Additionally, briefs are typically filed electronically through the Vermont Judiciary's Electronic Filing System, and parties are 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 avoid having their briefs rejected or disregarded by the court.