Events

Fair notice is often invoked as a justification for interpreting the law in ways that ensure people can understand and comply with legal requirements. But how much notice is enough, and who gets to decide? Alexander Zhang will be sharing insights on the history and politics of fair notice in statutory interpretation, revealing how legislative and societal choices have shaped its meaning and distribution over time. While some argue that judges should interpret statutes to maximize notice, others contend that perfect notice is impossible. Zhang moves beyond this stalemate by uncovering how legislatures have historically prioritized efficiency over neutrality in distributing notice and how laypeople once played a more active role in engaging with legal texts. By tracing these shifts, he explores whether and how judges should account for the structural inequalities embedded in notice. This discussion will provide a new lens for understanding fair notice and its implications for legal interpretation today. This event is sponsored by the Duke Law Journal. Lunch will be provided. Please contact Gabriela Nagle Alverio at gabriela.nagle@duke.edu for more information.