Warning

Info

Warning

Info

Warning

Info

LSDefine

Simple English definitions for legal terms

mischief rule

Read a random definition: conscience of the court

A quick definition of mischief rule:

The mischief rule is a way of interpreting laws. It means that when we read a law, we should try to understand what problem it was made to solve. Then, we should interpret the law in a way that helps solve that problem. This is also called the purpose approach. It is different from the plain-meaning rule, which says we should only look at the words of the law, and the golden rule, which says we should interpret the law in a way that makes the most sense.

A more thorough explanation:

The mischief rule is a way of interpreting laws. It means that when judges are trying to understand what a law means, they should first figure out what problem the law was trying to solve. Then, they should interpret the law in a way that solves that problem.

For example, let's say there is a law that says "No dogs allowed in the park." If someone brings their dog to the park and gets in trouble, a judge using the mischief rule would try to figure out why the law was made. Maybe the problem was that dogs were leaving a lot of poop in the park and people were stepping in it. In that case, the judge might interpret the law to mean "No dogs allowed in the park unless they are on a leash and their owner cleans up after them." That way, the problem of poop in the park is solved, but people can still bring their dogs if they follow the rules.

The mischief rule is one of several ways that judges can interpret laws. Other methods include the plain-meaning rule (which means interpreting the law based on the words used), the golden rule (which means interpreting the law in a way that makes the most sense), and the equity-of-the-statute rule (which means interpreting the law in a way that is fair to everyone).

mischief | miscontinuance

Warning

Info

General

General chat about the legal profession.
main_chatroom
👍 Chat vibe: 0 👎
Help us make LSD better!
Tell us what's important to you
HopefullyInLawSchool
16:12
@RoaldDahl: Likely not however it could mean nothing
RoaldDahl
16:15
So if it means nothing does that mean something?
HopefullyInLawSchool
16:17
Possibly
RoaldDahl
16:26
Cool
RoaldDahl
16:26
thank you!!!! i hope it means something
pinkandblue
16:31
fart
IrishDinosaur
16:36
Mich R gang lesgooo
Did anyone else get that random get to know nova email?
HopefullyInLawSchool
17:21
Ya it was sent to all YM applicants
starfishies
17:37
Anyone get the NDLS email inviting you to apply for something even though they haven’t made a decision on your app yet
17:38
Better yet I got the email and I was rejected last month
starfishies
17:38
Wtf
starfishies
17:39
and the deadline is in like a week what is this
any cardozo movement?
BatmanBeyond
18:01
Sent a LOCI via portal, but I'm wondering if email would have gotten me a swifter response
BatmanBeyond
18:02
This whole hold/wait-list/reserve system is a headache
loci already?
BatmanBeyond
18:09
If the odds are like 1-2% I don't think it matters much by the numbers
12:11
I got the same NDLS email
OrangeThing
12:18
I think the user profiles are broken
19:29
Any word out of Notre Dame?
19:29
Only the invitation to apply for LSE
19:29
Anyone received a decision from NDLS?
19:50
when did u guys apply that just heard from umich? they havent even glanced at my app yet
0:30
how am i supposed to spy on people when profile links are broken?
Right. Broken links smh
I've been UR since first/second week of Jan, no updates otherwise, is that a bad sign? At or above median LSAT and above 75th gpa.
The profile links are not working for me. anybody else?
13:18
i’m in the same boat mastermonkey but with lower stats. i hope i hear back by mid march
CheeseIsMyLoveLanguage
13:24
@mastermonkey45: Looking at some of the recent decisions in relation to when they went complete, I'd say it's a good sign. It seems many declines were sent within about 5-6 weeks of completion. Given those were applications that were SENT in January, I'd say that means you're still solidly in the running. :)
LSD+ is ad-free, with DMs, discounts, case briefs & more.