Words

The Alabama Supreme Court’s opinion was in the news this weekend. To listen to the media, the decision was based on one’s religious/political views about when life begins. But I read the opinion, and the actual decision is very limited.  The decision was simply based on the meaning of the word “child” based on the definition contained in a state statute. I instantly recognized the analysis because, very frequently, the business litigation matters I handle turn on the definition of a single word or phrase in a contract. Words matter and defining important contract terms (or in this case statutory terms) can change everything. Of course, the lesson is to choose words very carefully and to supply definitions when a word or phrase is recognized as one whose meaning may be subject to interpretation or susceptible to alternative meanings.