Break down a legal brief into its arguments and authorities
A brief tries to persuade a court, so its structure is built around the questions presented, the facts as the party frames them, and a sequence of arguments supported by authorities and record citations. Upload the brief, and the brief it answers, to a Search+ workspace, ask for each argument and its support, and open the citations to see exactly what the brief claims and where.
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Last updated October 2026
How to read a brief with Search+
- Upload the brief and the opposing brief
Add the brief together with the brief it responds to, and the decision being appealed if there is one. Drafts in Word work as well as filed PDFs. Arguments make most sense next to the arguments they answer.
- Set the reading goal
In Workspace Context, write what you are looking for, such as "I am preparing a reply; for each argument, note the authority relied on and any record citation." Search+ applies that to every question.
- Ask argument by argument
Ask for the main arguments first, then ask about each one: what rule it relies on, which cases it cites and what facts it points to. Open the citations to read the brief's wording.
Questions people ask about a legal brief
What questions does this brief ask the court to decide?
What are the brief's main arguments, in the order presented?
Which cases does the brief rely on most for its first argument?
Which parts of the record does the brief cite for its statement of facts?
How does the reply brief answer the opposing brief's argument on standing?
What standard of review does the brief say applies?
What reading a brief carefully involves
A brief presents facts and law in the light most favorable to its side. Compare its characterization of a case or a fact with the source.
The headings in the argument section often summarize the whole case. Reading them first gives you the map.
Statements of fact should cite the record, such as transcripts or exhibits. An assertion without a record cite deserves a closer look.
Courts set their own requirements for brief structure, length and citation. Those vary by court and jurisdiction.
If the cited opinions or transcripts are also in the workspace, Search+ can answer across all of them and cite each document.
The usual parts of a brief and a question for each
| Part of the brief | What it usually covers | A question to ask Search+ |
|---|---|---|
| Questions presented | The issues for decision | How does the brief frame each issue? |
| Table of authorities | Cases, statutes and other sources cited | Which statutes does the brief rely on? |
| Statement of the case | Procedural history and facts | What does the brief say happened below? |
| Summary of argument | The argument in brief | What is the core theory in one paragraph? |
| Argument | The full argument with authorities | What authority supports the second point heading? |
| Conclusion | The relief requested | What exactly does the brief ask the court to do? |
What is a legal brief?
A legal brief is a written argument submitted to a court that sets out a party's position on the issues, the relevant facts and the legal authorities that support the result it asks for.
Questions about reading briefs
Can Search+ summarize the arguments in a brief?
Can it compare a brief with the opposing brief?
Can it check whether a brief describes a case accurately?
Will it find the record citations for a fact?
Will Search+ tell me how strong an argument is?
Can answers be wrong?
See every argument and what holds it up
Start a workspace, upload the briefs, and ask how each argument is supported.
Start a workspace