试论法庭之友制度的起源及发展

在历史上,法庭之友,最初正如拉丁文“amieuscuriae”的释义那样,属于法庭的朋友。它的作用是只从法庭的利益出发,向法庭提供其专业范围之外的客观的、公正的信息,协助法庭确保裁判的准确性、维护法庭的荣誉和司法公正。但是在美国,法庭之友已经发生了较大的转变,其不仅仅代表法庭的利益,更多地代表了特殊团体的利益,法庭之友的地位变得多样化。

On the Origin and Development of Amicus Curiae

Amicus curiae ,just as its initial Latin definition,is deemed as the friend of the court in history. Its function is to provide the court with objective and just information out of the court＇ s expertise for the sake of the court＇ s interests only and to assist the court in ensuring the accuracy of the court＇ s decision,the glory of the court and judicial justice as well. However,in America,amicus curiae has changed and evolved greatly,which not only stands for the court＇ s interests, but also is the representative of the special group＇ s in-terests. The status of amicus curiae becomes multiple.