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Simple English definitions for legal terms
landmark decision
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A quick definition of landmark decision:
A landmark decision is a ruling made by a judge that changes the way the law is interpreted and applied. It is an important decision that sets a new precedent for future cases. For example, when the Supreme Court decided that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, it was a landmark decision that changed the course of history. Another example is when a court established that a defendant's responsibility in a negligence case is limited to those who could reasonably be foreseen to be in danger. These decisions are also called landmark cases and are different from leading cases.
A more thorough explanation:
A landmark decision is a ruling made by a court that significantly changes the existing law. It sets a new precedent that will be followed in future cases. For example, the Brown v. Board of Education case in 1954 declared that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. Another example is the Palsgraf v. Long Island R.R. case in 1928, which established that a defendant's duty in a negligence action is limited to plaintiffs within the apparent zone of danger.
These examples illustrate how landmark decisions can have a profound impact on society and the legal system. Brown v. Board of Education helped to end segregation in schools and paved the way for civil rights legislation. Palsgraf v. Long Island R.R. clarified the legal standard for negligence and helped to establish the principle of foreseeability in tort law.