Abstract: An apparatus for controlling brakes, includes a first brake circuit for supplying brake fluid, pressure-increased by a booster, to a wheel-brake cylinder, a first control valve disposed in the first brake circuit for establishing and blocking fluid communication between a master cylinder and the wheel-brake cylinder, a second brake circuit arranged in parallel with the first brake circuit for supplying brake fluid, pressure-increased by a fluid-pressure source, to the wheel-brake cylinder, and a second control valve disposed in the second brake circuit for establishing and blocking fluid communication between the fluid-pressure source and the wheel-brake cylinder. Also provided is a control unit, which is configured to selectively control the first and second control valves when building-up wheel-cylinder pressure, and further configured to build-up the wheel-cylinder pressure by operating the fluid-pressure source when at least the second control valve is controlled to a valve-open position.