Law Commons^™

Surveying The "Forms Of Doctrine" On The Bright Line Balancing Test Continuum, James G. Wilson

Law Faculty Articles and Essays

This article's primary contribution to the rule/standard problem is to map the rule/standard continuum more precisely. This article will analyze several cases to reveal numerous forms of doctrine that are hybrids of the two archetypes, "rules" and "standards," including the aforementioned escape hatches, exceptions, and factor tests, and will also discuss costs and benefits of using each of these different forms, irrespective of substance. Judges must choose among a large number of valid forms, attempting to create the best "fit" between the chosen form, a judicial means, and higher-level ends, such as efficiency, social stability, consistency, or autonomy.The article will …