U.S. Supreme Court
Amicus Proposal Riles Right, Left
Groups both liberal and conservative are objecting to a proposed Supreme Court rule on amicus briefs.
The proposal would require the groups filing amicus briefs to reveal whether parties in the case or their lawyers are members, Tony Mauro of Legal Times reports. The rule would apply to lawyers in the U.S. Solicitor General’s office in cases where the United States is party.
The rule appears aimed at “double-dipping” in which parties coordinate briefs filed in their name and in the name of an amicus group.
The critics have filed letters saying the proposal would discourage membership in public-interest groups and compromise privacy.
