Jul. 10, 2026
How not to split a baby: On 'Solomonic' decisions
The Judgment of Solomon produced enduring legal metaphors, but neither "splitting the baby" nor "Solomonic" means quite what lawyers often think.
Continuing on the theme of lawyers and judges misquoting and misciting literature, after my last entry on rules "more honor'd in the breach than the observance," today we'll talk about splitting babies. (I'll admit to some trepidation about what type of artwork the Daily Journal may choose to accompany this piece.)
Lawyers and judges love to talk about "splitting the baby" when discussing splitting the difference on settlement offers, a compromise verdi...
For only $95 a month (the price of 2 article purchases)
Receive unlimited article access and full access to our archives,
Daily Appellate Report, award winning columns, and our
Verdicts and Settlements.
Or
$895, but save $100 when you subscribe today… Just $795 for the first year!
Or access this article for $45
(Purchase provides 7-day access to this article. Printing, posting or downloading is not allowed.)
Already a subscriber?
Sign In