watching brief
noun
1- Law, Brit. a brief held by a barrister to follow a case on behalf of a client who is not directly involved【律】, 〈英〉（与讼案无直接关系的人委托律师代为注意法院诉讼程序的）委托书。
1.1
- an interest in a proceeding in which one is not directly or immediately concerned对某个与自己并无直接关系的事情的关注。