Absurdity

/əbˈsɜːrdɪti/

Definitions

  1. (n.) The quality or state of being obviously or demonstrably unreasonable, illogical, or incongruous in a legal context.
    The court dismissed the claim due to its clear absurdity.
  2. (n.) A situation in which applying the law as written would produce a result that is senseless or unjust, often remedied by the doctrine of absurdity.
    The judge invoked the doctrine of absurdity to avoid an unjust interpretation of the statute.

Commentary

The legal notion of absurdity commonly arises in statutory interpretation where courts avoid outcomes that defy common sense or produce unjust results.

This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.

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