lawwhat

Lawwhat is a term used in legal theory and practice to describe an approach that foregrounds the practical obligations imposed by law by asking what does the law require in a given situation. It emphasizes translating statutes, regulations, and case law into concrete, observable duties and rights. It is not a specific law or doctrine but a methodological lens for interpreting and applying legal norms.

History and usage: The term is relatively new and appears in scholarly and professional discussions about legal engineering and regulatory design. It is used to contrast traditional doctrinal analysis with an applied, question-centric approach that seeks to bridge the gap between legal texts and real-world actions. The concept is employed in compliance programs, policy design, and legal technology to clarify obligations for organizations and individuals.

Features: Lawwhat highlights stakeholders’ perspectives, includes explicit scenarios, and favors testable criteria. It may involve mapping legal provisions to measurable actions, conducting risk assessments, and using decision trees to guide choices in ambiguous situations. The approach aims to make legal requirements more transparent and auditable.

Criticism: Some scholars caution that lawwhat can oversimplify complex normative frameworks and neglect interpretive theory, context, and due process. Others argue it risks operationalizing law in ways that erode rights protection or democratic oversight if not implemented with safeguards and ongoing legal reasoning.

See also: Related topics include statutory interpretation, compliance, legal informatics, and law and technology.