palm tree justice en · NOUN
Etymology
According to the Chambers Dictionary (Edinburgh: Chambers Harrap, 1998) the phrase is “from the old Arabic or Jewish idea of a wise man dispensing justice under a palm tree.” Namely: And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment. (Judges 4:5)
Meanings
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(derogatory, uncountable) A flexible, discretionary approach to legal decision making that prioritizes fairness in specific circumstances over strict adherence to legal precedents or rights.
[…] vary agreed or established rights to property in an endeavor to achieve a kind of palm tree justice […]
1965, National Provincial Bank v. Hastings Car Mart, [1965] 8. W.L.R. 1 at p. 11, per Lord Hodson