The Many Texts of the Law

British Journal of American Legal Studies, Forthcoming

35 Pages Posted: 7 May 2014

See all articles by Michael H. Davis

Michael H. Davis

Cleveland State University College of Law

Dana Neacsu

Duquesne University School of Law

Date Written: May 2, 2014

Abstract

This paper contends that even as jurists invoke the official canonic version of the legal text, it is in danger of being replaced for the jurist, as well as for the lay person, if it has not been substituted already, by some apocryphal, inauthentic or casual text. We argue that in addition to the approximate nature of legal knowledge, the overuse of overedited and perverted casebooks, as well as the distribution of legal information among imperfect sources – some official but partial, others inauthentic but highly accessible, and a few reliable but highly unaffordable commercial sources – are largely responsible for this situation.

Keywords: jurisprudence, legal education, legal philosophy, rule of law, legal text

Suggested Citation

Davis, Michael (Mickey) H. and Neacsu, Dana, The Many Texts of the Law (May 2, 2014). British Journal of American Legal Studies, Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2433328

Michael (Mickey) H. Davis (Contact Author)

Cleveland State University College of Law ( email )

2121 Euclid Avenue, LB 138
Cleveland, OH 44115-2214
United States
216-687-2228 (Phone)
216-687-6881 (Fax)

Dana Neacsu

Duquesne University School of Law ( email )

900 Locust St
Pittsburgh, PA 15282
United States

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