<P> Upon a barrister devolves the duty of taking charge of a case when it comes into court, but all the preliminary work, such as the drawing up of the case, serving papers, marshalling evidence, etc., is performed by a solicitor . The delivery of a brief to counsel gives him authority to act for his client in all matters which the litigation involves . </P> <P> The brief was probably so called from its first being only a copy of the original writ . </P> <P> A brief contains a concise summary for the information of counsel of the case which the barrister has to plead, with all material facts in chronological order, and frequently such observations thereon as the solicitor may think fit to make, the names of witnesses, with the "proofs," that is, the nature of the evidence which each witness is ready to give, if called upon . The brief may also contain suggestions for the use of counsel when cross-examining witnesses called by the other side . Accompanying the brief may be copies of the pleadings, and of all documents material to the case . The brief is always endorsed with the title of the court in which the action is to be tried, with the title of the action, and the names of the counsel and of the solicitor who delivers the brief . Counsel's fee is also marked . The result of the action is noted on the brief by counsel, or if the action is compromised, the terms of the compromise are endorsed on each brief and signed by the leading counsel on the opposite side . </P> <P> The brief - bag, in which counsel's papers are carried to and from court, now forms an integral part of a barrister's outfit, although today it is used primarily to carry counsel's robes . In the early part of the 19th century the possession of a brief - bag was strictly confined to those who had received one from a king's counsel (silk). King's counsel were then few in number, were considered officers of the court, and had a salary of £ 40 a year, with a supply of paper, pens and purple bags . These bags they distributed among rising juniors of their acquaintance, whose bundles of briefs were getting inconveniently large to be carried in their hands . These perquisites were abolished in 1830 . </P>

Who is responsible for briefing a witness who face trial