From Seuss to Sonnet: Two Faces of Legal Christmas

Its AI day today on the 'Legally Christmas' blog. This second AI blog was written by the Gemini generative AI tool with prompting from the Open Justice Centre's Liz Hardie.

As we trade our textbooks for tinsel and our module materials for eggnog, it's the perfect time to remember that even the jolliest holiday is riddled with legal dilemmas. From Santa's alleged trespass over our roofs to the potential breach of contract regarding coal in a stocking, the law is everywhere. To lighten the load this season, we present a very silly (and brief!) festive poem written in the style of a certain beloved rhyming doctor. Enjoy!

A Law-mas Rhyme

The stockings are hung with a Warrant and care, 

But the chimney's too narrow for entry to spare. 

The gingerbread man needs a waiver of tort, 

If he slips on the glaze that the baker has bought.

A sleigh bell is ringing—a noise pollution case! 

And what of the reindeer with no parking space? 

If Santa drops gifts, is it trespass or truce? 

Consumer rights laws covers every small goose!

So sign your affidavits, don't pout and don't frown,

The Amended claim form is arriving in town! 

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good case! 

Now let's get discovery moving at a breakneck pace!

That Dr. Seuss-style piece was certainly the light-hearted note we needed, but for our second offering, we’re going to step into the classical halls of English common law itself. This next poem, structured as a Shakespearean Sonnet, offers a formal reflection on the holiday season, and how we all deserve a brief moment of quiet repose.

Writ of Repose: A Sonnet for the Law Student's Christmas

When winter's chill descends on every pane, 

The student sighs and shuts the heavy tome,

 And hopes the law's complexity may wane, 

As thoughts of hearth and happiness come home. 

We cease to weigh the equitable claim, 

And put aside the briefs that stack so tall; 

The Rule of Law is whispered like a name, 

Before the carols rise throughout the hall. 

For brief respite, the court's decree is done, 

The weary mind receives a gentle stay, 

Until the joyful holiday is run, 

And duty calls us back another day. 

So let the jurisprudence softly sleep, 

While promises of peace the whole world keep.