Researchers from the Institute of Criminology at the Faculty of Law in Ljubljana, Dr. Mojca M. Plesničar and Manja Skočir, reveal in a podcast that language is both a tool and a weapon in the courtroom. It is a fundamental tool used by lawyers and is crucial in the course of legal proceedings.
The words and writings in the Criminal Code decide the outcomes of individual cases. Incomplete verbs, plural forms and unclear formulations can create serious legal dilemmas – for example, is a single act of violence enough to be considered a criminal offence, or does the act have to be repeated? What can a court do when faced with such legislation? Should it follow language or justice?
