erred in law

USAGE SUMMARY

"erred in law" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone has made a mistake in their interpretation or application of legal principles. For example, "The court found that the defendant had erred in law by not properly following the rules of evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

"She [Smith] erred in law and reached a flawed decision in response to the medical evidence," he said.

The Guardian

Uber's lead barrister, Dinah Rose QC, will argue that the tribunal made "inconsistent and perverse findings" and "erred in law", according to Uber's notice of appeal.

The Guardian - Tech

World Rugby's match official selection committee, after watching the incident from several angles and in slow motion, concluded that Joubert had erred in law.

The Guardian - Sport

The judge also "erred in law in ruling that counsel for the applicant was prohibited from asking questions or calling evidence" about an alleged late confession made by co-defendant Osman.

Independent

I accordingly conclude that the Court of First Instance erred in law in holding that it had no jurisdiction to review the contested regulation in the light of fundamental rights that are part of the general principles of Community law.

Harvard University

In staying Carmody's orders in a business contracts dispute, appeal court justice John Muir noted there was "a fairly arguable case" Carmody had denied natural justice and erred in law by failing to give adequate reasons for his decision.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

62 In my opinion, the chambers judge did not err in law in applying what the Supreme Court of Canada said in Larocque to the facts of the case before her.

Harvard University

The EU's general court "did not err in law" when it found special status could only be granted when the design feature was associated with one brand throughout EU territory "and not only in a substantial part", the judgment said.

The Guardian

They accused Newham Council of "erring in law" by failing to take into account a "fundamental change" in government policy on aviation and climate change.

BBC

Therefore, the visitor "cannot err in law in reaching [his] decision since the general law is not the applicable law".

Wikipedia

The Supreme Court said a lower court had erred in blocking this law, because there is no evidence yet that its enforcement would pre-empt federal law.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "erred in law", ensure the context clearly indicates a legal or judicial setting. Avoid using it in casual conversation.

Common error

Avoid using "erred in law" when discussing non-legal mistakes. This phrase is specific to errors in legal judgment or interpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "erred in law" primarily functions as a legal term, indicating a mistake made in the interpretation or application of legal principles. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and usable in written English, typically appearing in legal arguments and judgments.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "erred in law" is a legal term used to assert that a legal error has occurred. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability, noting its frequent appearance in legal and journalistic contexts. It's crucial to use this phrase in appropriate settings, primarily legal or formal discussions. Remember that it specifically indicates a mistake in the application or understanding of legal principles. Ludwig's examples highlight its use in various reputable sources, ensuring clarity and precision when discussing legal errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

made a legal mistake

Replaces "erred" with a more common expression and maintains the focus on legal matters.

misinterpreted the law

Focuses on the act of incorrectly understanding legal principles.

misapplied the law

Highlights the incorrect application of legal principles to a specific case.

committed a legal error

Uses "committed" instead of "erred" to indicate the action of making a mistake in legal context.

deviated from legal standards

Emphasizes a departure from established legal norms or practices.

was legally incorrect

Simplifies the phrase to a more direct statement of legal inaccuracy.

judicially misguided

Suggests that a decision or action was based on flawed legal reasoning.

the ruling was flawed

Focuses on the imperfection of the legal ruling.

showed a misunderstanding of the law

Highlights a lack of comprehension of the law.

the decision was legally unsound

Emphasizes the lack of legal validity or robustness in a decision.

FAQs

What does "erred in law" mean in legal terms?

In legal terms, "erred in law" signifies that a judge, tribunal, or other legal decision-maker made a mistake in their understanding or application of the law.

How is "erred in law" different from "error of fact"?

"Erred in law" refers to a mistake in the interpretation or application of legal principles, while "error of fact" involves a mistake about the factual circumstances of a case.

What are some synonyms for "erred in law"?

Synonyms include "made a legal mistake", "misinterpreted the law", or "misapplied the law", each offering slightly different nuances.

How can I use "erred in law" in a sentence?

You might say, "The appeal argued that the trial judge erred in law by admitting inadmissible evidence", indicating a legal mistake in the trial's proceedings.