Definition
A fundamental rule or principle.
A method of statutory interpretation, whereby a judge will deviate from a literal interpretation of the law to the extent necessary to circumvent obvious absurdities or (sometimes) conclusions repugnant to public policy.
In Context
- "It is all-important to remember that naturalists have no golden rule by which to distinguish species and varieties; […]"
- "There is one golden rule of timetable work, that if a passenger train never runs to time it must be altered or other trains must be altered so that it can shake off its chronic unpunctuality."
- "Here's what we call our golden rule / Have faith in you and the things you do"
- "A new book called When Nothing Works shows which groups have enjoyed the biggest rise in take-home pay since the turn of the millennium. From Tony Blair to Boris Johnson, the authors discover one golden rule: the richer you are, the more money you’re given."
See Also
- love thy neighbor as thyself
- silver rule