Legal Definitions - law question

A law question is an issue that needs to be decided by a judge regarding the application or interpretation of the law. It can also refer to a question that the law itself has already answered, so the court cannot answer it at their discretion. Additionally, it can be an issue where parties argue about what the true rule of law is, and the court must decide. Finally, it can be an issue that is exclusively within the province of the judge and not the jury.

• A jury cannot decide questions of law, which are reserved for the court.
• Under the sentencing guidelines, the punishment for a three-time offender is a question of law.
• Both parties appealed on the question of law.
• Whether a contractual ambiguity exists is a question of law.

These examples illustrate different types of law questions. The first example shows that a jury cannot decide questions of law, only the judge can. The second example shows that some questions have already been answered by the law, so the court cannot use their discretion. The third example shows that parties can argue about what the true rule of law is, and the court must decide. Finally, the fourth example shows that some issues are exclusively within the province of the judge and not the jury.