landmark case

USAGE SUMMARY

"landmark case" is a correct and usable term in written English.
You can use it when describing a case or legal decision that is considered to be particularly significant or important in setting a legal precedent. For example, "The Brown v. Board of Education case was a landmark case, as it established the precedent of desegregating public schools in the United States."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It could have been a landmark case.

The Economist

It is a landmark case.

The Guardian

"I think it'll be a landmark case".

The New York Times

He called it a landmark case.

The New York Times - Sports

"A landmark case," Ms. Salzman says.

The New York Times

The ruling will probably become a landmark case.

The New Yorker

That landmark case, Vergara v. California, is now under appeal.

The Washington Post

History will show that this was a landmark case.

The Guardian

It was quite rightly heralded as a landmark case.

The Guardian - Opinion

The landmark case Brown v. Board of Education deemed such separate and unequal schools as unlawful.

Harvard University

WHO brought a landmark case challenging affirmative action in the 1970s?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, briefly explain why the case is considered a "landmark case", highlighting the specific legal principles it established or the impact it had on society.

Common error

Avoid using "landmark case" for routine legal matters or cases with limited impact. The term should be reserved for truly significant legal events that have far-reaching consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "landmark case" functions as a noun phrase, where "landmark" modifies "case", indicating a significant or pivotal legal event. As Ludwig AI indicates, it signifies a decision that sets an important precedent. Examples show its use in describing cases with broad implications across diverse fields.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Academia

9%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "landmark case" is a commonly used and grammatically correct term to describe a significant legal decision that sets a precedent or alters existing law. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it effectively conveys the importance and impact of a specific legal event. It is most frequently found in news media, but also appears in academic and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the case has a demonstrably significant impact to warrant such a description. Alternative phrases such as "precedent-setting case" or "significant legal case" can offer slightly different nuances depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

key legal precedent

Focuses on the case as a crucial example or authority for future decisions.

precedent-setting case

Focuses on the case's role in establishing a new legal standard.

seminal legal ruling

Indicates the case is highly influential and sets a foundation for future decisions.

significant legal case

Emphasizes the importance and impact of the case within the legal field.

watershed case

Implies that the case marks a turning point or significant change in legal thinking.

historic legal decision

Highlights the case's importance in history and its lasting impact.

influential case

Highlights the case's capacity to affect subsequent legal proceedings and thought.

groundbreaking legal action

Suggests the case is innovative and introduces a new legal concept.

monumental legal battle

Emphasizes the scale and importance of the legal conflict.

test case

Refers to a case designed to establish a principle of law.

FAQs

How can I use "landmark case" in a sentence?

You can use "landmark case" to describe a court decision that sets a significant precedent. For example, "The Supreme Court's ruling was a "landmark case" that redefined free speech rights".

What are some synonyms for "landmark case"?

Alternatives to "landmark case" include "precedent-setting case", "significant legal case", and "seminal legal ruling". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to call a recent case a "landmark case"?

Calling a recent case a "landmark case" can be appropriate if it has already demonstrated a significant impact on legal precedent or societal norms. However, it's often better to wait and see how the case is viewed in retrospect before definitively labeling it as such.

What makes a case a "landmark case"?

A case becomes a "landmark case" when it establishes a new legal principle, significantly clarifies existing law, or has a major impact on society. These cases are often cited in future legal proceedings and become important points of reference.