Legal Definitions - neutral principles

Neutral principles are rules that are based on law rather than personal interests or beliefs. This term is commonly used in constitutional law.

For example, if a court is deciding a case based on neutral principles, they will look at the law and legal precedent to make their decision, rather than their own personal beliefs or biases. This ensures that the decision is fair and impartial.

The concept of neutral principles was popularized by Herbert Wechsler in his article "Toward Neutral Principles of Constitutional Law" published in the Harvard Law Review in 1959.