Jarndyce and Jarndyce drones on. This scarecrow of a suit, has, in course of time, become so complicated that no man alive knows what it means. The parties to it understand it least; but it has been observed that no two Chancery lawyers can talk about it for five minutes, without coming to total disagreement as to all the premises.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A legal case has dragged on so long that it is incomprehensible to everyone, including the lawyers and parties involved.
- In plain terms
- This lawsuit is so old and complicated no one understands it anymore.
- What can you take from it?
- Legal systems can become so complex they lose their purpose.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you fix broken systems?
- When does procedure become pointless?
Another view
Complexity can sometimes be necessary for thorough justice.
More from Charles Dickens
Trifles make the sum of life.
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