Law Matters: Reflections of Chief Justice Michael A. Wolff

The Courts' Ideals Are Carved in Stone

Discussion Questions

1. What do you thing the phrase where there is a right, there is a remedy means?

2. What do you think the phrase that right and justice shall be administered without sale, denial or delay means? Circuit courts charge a fee for the filing of civil cases. Why is that okay? What happens if you are too poor to pay that cost? Most people agree that it is best to have a lawyer help with their cases. If you cannot afford a lawyer, does that mean that justice is not administered without sale?

3. What does Judge Wolff say the phrase to declare the law, not to make it means? How is his explanation consistent with the role of the courts in a system of separation of powers and checks and balances?

4. What is common law? How is it different from statutory law? Do you think we need both common law and statutory law for our judiciary branch to effectively settle disputes, which is the historical role of the courts?

5. If you were a judge, what would the words that are on the front of the Supreme Court of Missouri building in Jefferson City--The law has honored us. May we honor it—mean to you?

6. What do you think Judge Wolff meant when he said, “The words in stone are permanent. We who serve here are temporary custodians of these ideals.”