By the book; looking up the law in the dictionary
Article Abstract:
An informal survey of opinions by the US Supreme Court justices revealed that all cite dictionary definitions quite often in their opinions, but that the younger justices do so much more frequently than the older ones. This can be explained by differences in judicial philosophy as well as in the breadth of judicial experience. The younger justices such as Antonin Scalia are known to eschew legislative histories when interpreting statutes, which logically leaves mainly dictionaries for trying to figure out the meanings of various legal terms. Older justices also rely more on their experience.
Publication Name: ABA Journal
Subject: Law
ISSN: 0747-0088
Year: 1993
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School is in; program helps government lawyers prepare to argue before Supreme Court
Article Abstract:
The National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) runs a seminar to help state and local government attorneys prepare for arguing before the Supreme Court. The decade-old program was spurred by criticism of some government attorneys' arguments before the Court. The seminar teaches written advocacy, oral arguments, preparing and opposing certiorari petitions, and other aspects of dealing with the Court. The program is staffed by volunteers including former Court clerks, attorneys from the Solicitor General's office, and other lawyers who have argued often before the High Court.
Publication Name: ABA Journal
Subject: Law
ISSN: 0747-0088
Year: 1992
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The uncertainty of cert: predicting court's choice of cases can be anyone's guess
Article Abstract:
The US Supreme Court grants certiorari for only about half the cases it heard ten years ago. According to Supreme Court Rule 10.1, the judges have discretion to grant certiorari for 'special and important reasons.' These reasons have included conflict between the circuits or state appellate courts; decisions on an important federal law question which has not been settled by the court and decisions so far from the norm that the court feels it necessary to exercise its powers of supervision.
Publication Name: ABA Journal
Subject: Law
ISSN: 0747-0088
Year: 1996
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