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LSDefine

Simple English definitions for legal terms

literal rule

Read a random definition: Sherman Antitrust Act

A quick definition of literal rule:

The literal rule is a way of interpreting laws or documents by only looking at the exact words used, without considering other sources. This means that judges must follow the exact wording of a law or document, even if it seems unfair or unreasonable. This approach is also called strict constructionism or textualism.

A more thorough explanation:

The literal rule is a doctrine of judicial construction that requires judges to interpret a document or statute according to its literal terms, without looking to other sources to ascertain the meaning. This means that the words of the law are given their plain and ordinary meaning, even if the result is harsh or absurd.

For example, if a statute says that "no vehicles are allowed in the park," the literal rule would prohibit all vehicles, including bicycles and wheelchairs, from entering the park. Even if this result seems unreasonable, the court would still apply the literal rule and enforce the statute as written.

Another example is the case of Fisher v Bell, where a shopkeeper was charged with offering for sale an offensive weapon, namely a flick knife. The statute made it an offense to "offer for sale" any offensive weapon, but the shopkeeper argued that he had not technically "offered" the knife because it was displayed in a shop window with a price tag. The court applied the literal rule and held that the shopkeeper had indeed offered the knife for sale, even though he had not actively solicited customers to buy it.

These examples illustrate how the literal rule can lead to strict and sometimes counterintuitive outcomes, but it is still an important principle of statutory interpretation that helps ensure consistency and predictability in the law.

literal proof | literary

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im distracting myself by schizo-scrolling r/lawschoolamissions and every conceivable data point on this godforsaken website
it is not working
Haaa I naturally want to do that too. I’m trying to stop. They need a surgeon general’s warning on this site for perspective law students
i spend more time on here then anything else trying to rationalize that the waves from last year will match waves for this year (they won't) and that the stats of people with the same stats are indicative of my own (they aren't)
There aren't many people in my stat range so I pretty much know every result in my range after being on here for a few years
9:28
congrats on the 172 bruce
go dawgs fr
9:29
roll tide
do we foresee a fordham election day wave today (i'm delusional)
WorthlessAttractiveZombie
9:31
I think so, Jack
9:31
some people hate him. some people love him, but he a real one: https://youtu.be/w5oEqiVQcF4?t=173
9:32
[kevin oleary]
worthless i trust you implicitly you know what it will happen now.
worthless i trust you implicitly you know what it will happen now.
worthless i trust you implicitly you know what it will happen now.
worthless i trust you implicitly you know what it will happen now.
worthless i trust you implicitly you know what it will happen now.
WorthlessAttractiveZombie
9:34
I mean if Fordham doesn't release today I will purposefully get on a train, go to new york, and then take the stinkiest shit inside the admission office's toilet (potentially clogging it and forcing them to get a plumber)
IS IT ONLY ON MY END WHY DID THAT SEND TEN MILLION TIMES
HELLO
WorthlessAttractiveZombie
9:35
it sent a million times lol
WHAT HAPPENED
yeah i thought you were tweaking for a second
i'm so sorry everyone what the actual fuck this website hates me
WorthlessAttractiveZombie
9:35
Jack's just tweaking on LSD no biggie
to be fair this accurately represents my mental state
election day psychosis coming in hot (fordham)
usc pls pull through .....
i literally just need one A so i can relax before my ED decision
WorthlessAttractiveZombie
9:38
oh that's right USC might release
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