Verbal quibbles are unworthy of a judge.

Explanation

A judge who seizes upon technicalities of language to defeat the substance of a claim dishonors the bench. (Duplicate maxim — see also 10.2.29.)

Where this applies

• The judge dismissed my case because of a minor wording issue in my complaint.
• A court threw out a legitimate claim over a trivial language technicality.

See also

• 8.1.3 A good judge decides according to what is just and right, and prefers equity to strict law.
• 8.7.6 An ambiguous plea ought to be construed against the party who pleads it.
• 10.2.29 A twisting of language is unworthy of a judge.