palm tree justice

English

Etymology

According to the Chambers Dictionary (Edinburgh: Chambers Harrap, 1998) the phrase is “from the old Arabic or Jewish idea of a wise man dispensing justice under a palm tree.” Namely: And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment. (Judges 4:5)

Noun

palm tree justice (uncountable)

  1. (law, derogatory) A flexible, discretionary approach to legal decision making that prioritizes fairness in specific circumstances over strict adherence to legal precedents or rights.
    • 1965, National Provincial Bank v. Hastings Car Mart, [1965] 8. W.L.R. 1 at p. 11, per Lord Hodson:
      […] vary agreed or established rights to property in an endeavor to achieve a kind of palm tree justice […]
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