a line of cases

USAGE SUMMARY

"a line of cases" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a collection of individual cases, such as a series of legal cases, a group of scientific studies, or a selection of social histories. For example, "The attorney is working on a line of cases involving allegations of workplace discrimination."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Yesterday's ruling is the latest in a line of cases that have insulated the states from legal challenge and whittled away at federal power.

The New York Times

But few legal analysts expect him to vote to undo a line of cases in which the Supreme Court in recent years has curbed Congressional authority.

The New York Times

It is yet one more in a line of cases chastising chief executives for steering the negotiating process to their own benefit.

The New York Times

"If I'm arguing a line of cases, the last thing I need is to write something where someone can say 'As Professor Neuborne said, he should lose this case.' " Most of the time, however, it does work out.

The New York Times

Microsoft was at a disadvantage because it had not matched its competitors' campaign donations.Mr McKenzie places these proceedings in a line of cases which he says have abused American antitrust laws.

The Economist

The brands are Case-Mate, a line of cases for smartphones; Levi's jeans, sold by Levi Strauss & Company MCMM, the high-end handbags, luggage and leather goods; and RVCA, the line of apparel like board shorts for action sports.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Nine Inch Nails has announced a collaboration with Case-Mate for a line of iPhone cases through the I Make My Case program.

Huffington Post

Crow Dog was the last in a line of sovereignty cases that began with Cherokee Nation; the next major case, United States v. Kagama, (1886), upheld the plenary power of Congress to enact the Major Crimes Act.

Wikipedia

"When faced with a clash of constitutional principle and a line of unreasoned cases wholly divorced from the text, history, and structure of our founding document, we should not hesitate to resolve the tension in favor of the Constitution's original meaning," Thomas wrote in an opinion from 2005.

The New Yorker

But there's too long a line of schools cases following Jamie's.

Huffington Post

"There is a line of Supreme Court cases that make clear that states cannot ban the most common method of abortion in the second trimester," said Amanda Allen, the senior state legislative counsel for the Center for Reproductive Rights.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a line of cases" to show the historical context or the evolution of a legal principle over time.

Common error

Don't assume that "a line of cases" automatically implies strong legal precedent. The influence and authority depend on factors such as consistency, jurisdiction, and subsequent treatment by other courts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a line of cases" functions as a noun phrase. It commonly refers to a series or collection of court decisions that share a common legal theme or principle. Ludwig confirms the accurate usage of this phrase in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Wiki

16%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Science

16%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a line of cases" is a noun phrase that describes a collection of legal decisions sharing a common theme. While grammatically correct and commonly used, it's important to provide context and specify the legal area to avoid ambiguity. Ludwig AI validates the use of this phrase across various authoritative sources, mainly in news and legal reporting. Consider related phrases like "a series of precedents" or "a body of case law" for nuanced expression. When writing, avoid overstating the impact of "a line of cases", as their authority depends on several factors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a series of precedents

Focuses on the precedential aspect, emphasizing the guiding nature of the cases.

a set of legal precedents

Highlights the established legal principles and their role as examples for future cases.

a body of case law

Highlights the collective legal principles derived from multiple cases.

a string of decisions

Emphasizes the sequential nature and judicial act of the cases.

a chain of legal decisions

Implies a connected sequence of legal pronouncements affecting each other.

a pattern of rulings

Indicates a consistent trend or tendency in the court's decisions.

a collection of judicial opinions

Emphasizes the formal written explanations provided by the court.

a history of judgments

Focuses on the historical aspect and the formal pronouncements of the court.

a trend in court decisions

Indicates an observable direction or inclination in the judiciary's rulings.

a group of similar cases

Stresses the similarity or shared characteristics among the cases.

FAQs

How can I use "a line of cases" in a sentence?

You can use "a line of cases" to refer to a series of legal decisions that establish or clarify a particular legal principle. For instance, "The Supreme Court relied on "a line of cases" to support its decision."

What is the significance of "a line of cases" in law?

A "a line of cases" demonstrates how a particular legal interpretation has evolved or been consistently applied over time. It provides a basis for understanding current legal standards and predicting future rulings.

What are some alternatives to saying "a line of cases"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a series of precedents", "a body of case law", or "a string of decisions".

How does "a line of cases" differ from a single landmark case?

While a landmark case can significantly shape the law, "a line of cases" represents a sustained trend or pattern in judicial decision-making over time. It shows the continued endorsement or refinement of a legal principle rather than a one-time event.