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LSDefine

Simple English definitions for legal terms

purpose approach

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A quick definition of purpose approach:

The purpose approach is a way of understanding laws. It means that when we read a law, we should try to figure out what problem the law was made to solve. Then, we should interpret the law in a way that helps solve that problem. This is called the mischief rule or the rule in Heydon's Case. It is different from other ways of understanding laws, like the plain-meaning rule or the equity-of-the-statute rule.

A more thorough explanation:

The purpose approach, also known as the mischief rule, is a doctrine used in statutory construction. It states that a statute should be interpreted by first identifying the problem or "mischief" that the statute was designed to remedy. Then, a construction should be adopted that will suppress the problem and advance the remedy.

For example, let's say there is a law that prohibits the sale of alcohol to minors. The purpose of this law is to prevent underage drinking and its negative consequences. If a new type of alcoholic beverage is created that is not explicitly mentioned in the law, the purpose approach would be used to determine whether the sale of this new beverage to minors is prohibited or not. The court would look at the purpose of the law and determine whether the sale of this new beverage would advance or suppress the problem of underage drinking.

Another example is a law that requires all drivers to wear seat belts. The purpose of this law is to increase safety and reduce injuries in car accidents. If a person is pulled over for not wearing a seat belt but claims they were only driving a short distance, the purpose approach would be used to determine whether the person violated the law or not. The court would look at the purpose of the law and determine whether the person's actions advanced or suppressed the problem of car accident injuries.

These examples illustrate how the purpose approach is used to interpret laws based on their intended purpose and the problems they were designed to solve.

purpose | purpose clause

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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. :)
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