an error of law

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an error of law" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts to refer to a mistake made in interpreting or applying the law. Example: "The appellate court found that there was an error of law in the trial judge's ruling, which warranted a reversal of the decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

The department's attempt to take back the plate "was a violation of lawful procedure and an error of law," Judge Peter B. Skelos of State Supreme Court in Nassau County wrote.

The New York Times

He said there were no grounds for suggesting that an error of law had been made.

The Guardian - Sport

He dismissed Judge Freeland's view that Jagged Globe owed a duty of care to Harrison in respect of carrying out the stunts as "an error of law".

The Guardian

Because the code is made out of statutory powers, "a misconstruction of the code is an error of law", Niall told the court.

The Guardian

It does not strike me reading them, in the light of the judge's rulings and his factual findings, that any of them involved an error of law.

The Guardian

Alsup also found that Sessions had made an "error of law" — because deferred-action executive programs, like DACA, have existed since the Eisenhower Administration.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

He said that the statute under which officials for decades have been able to collect their pensions despite corruption convictions was an "error of state law," and he noted that while it had been partially fixed several years ago, it "must succumb to common sense".

The New York Times

According to Lord Dyson, this was not justified as "the importance of Anisminic is that it showed that a material error of law renders a decision a 'nullity' so that the decision is in principle judicially reviewable".

Wikipedia

However, it would be surprising if they were never open to review by any court, even if a judge made a gross error of law in coming to his decision.

The Guardian

The High Court case of Re Application by Yee Yut Ee (1978) suggests that the pre-Anisminic position on ouster clauses applies in Singapore; that is, the distinction between jurisdictional and non-jurisdictional errors of law persists, and an ouster clause is only ineffective where a jurisdictional error of law has been committed.

Wikipedia

An appellate court will usually defer to the trial court's finding of facts and only overturn a trial court's decision if that court made a clear error of law.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing legal documents or journalistic pieces, ensure that you can clearly articulate the specific law or legal principle that was misinterpreted or misapplied to justify the use of the term "an error of law".

Common error

Don't simply claim "an error of law" without providing specific details about the legal misstep. Be prepared to articulate the precise legal principle or statute that was incorrectly applied.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an error of law" functions as a noun phrase within a sentence, often serving as the subject or object relating to legal judgments, appeals, or discussions of legal correctness. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in legal and journalistic contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an error of law" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term, particularly within legal and journalistic spheres. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's considered correct. The phrase denotes a specific type of legal mistake, often prompting critical analysis or appeals. Due to its formal register, it's crucial to employ this term with precision, clarifying the specific legal principle that was misinterpreted. While alternatives exist, understanding the context remains key to effective communication. Predominantly featured in authoritative news sources, "an error of law" carries significant weight in legal discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

legal mistake

Focuses on the mistake aspect, simplifying the legal terminology.

miscarriage of justice

Highlights the consequence of the error, focusing on the unfair outcome.

flaw in legal reasoning

Emphasizes the flawed process of legal thinking.

breach of legal procedure

Focuses on the violation of established legal processes.

incorrect application of the law

Specifically points to the misapplication of legal principles.

legal oversight

Highlights a failure to properly consider or apply a legal principle.

judicial error

Specifically attributes the error to the judiciary.

erroneous legal interpretation

Focuses on the incorrect interpretation of the law.

defect in jurisprudence

Highlights a flaw within the body of law itself.

violation of lawful procedure

Emphasizes that an existing legal protocol has been broken.

FAQs

How is "an error of law" typically identified in a legal context?

It's usually identified through appeals, where a higher court reviews a lower court's decision to determine if the law was incorrectly applied or interpreted. If so, it's deemed "an error of law" and the decision may be overturned.

What's the difference between "an error of law" and "an error of fact"?

"An error of law" involves a mistake in the understanding or application of the law. "An error of fact", on the other hand, concerns a mistake about the factual circumstances of the case.

In what types of documents or situations is "an error of law" most likely to be mentioned?

You'll typically find it in legal documents such as court opinions, legal briefs, and scholarly articles, or in news reports covering legal proceedings and appeals.

What are some alternatives to "an error of law" that maintain a formal tone?

Alternatives include "legal mistake", "misapplication of the law", or "flaw in legal reasoning". These alternatives can provide a similar meaning while varying your language and can be found in "legal mistake" or "misapplication of the law".