Lawsuch

Lawsuch is a term used in legal philosophy and discourse to denote a normative ideal that statutes should be written so that their meaning is readily accessible to ordinary readers. The concept emphasizes clarity, definitional precision, and concrete guidance over stylistic complexity or opaque formulations. Proponents argue that laws designed in this spirit improve predictability and reduce the need for extensive judicial interpretation.

The term appears in discussions around plain language law and accessible justice, often as a critique of obscure drafting practices. It is typically described as a design principle rather than a specific clause, guiding lawmakers and drafters toward explicit definitions, objective criteria, and examples that map legal concepts to everyday experiences.

In practice, applying Lawsuch means prioritizing definitions for key terms, modular statute structure, and cross-references that are easily navigable. It does not prescribe particular content but advocates for legible organization and transparent enforcement standards to enhance citizen understanding and compliance.

Critics note that the ideal may clash with the precision demanded in complex regulatory frameworks or with the constraints of constitutional texts. They warn that excessive simplification could obscure nuance or reduce flexibility, and they emphasize the need for careful drafting to avoid ambiguity while maintaining accessibility.

See also: plain language, statutory interpretation, accessible law.