Nicholls v. Dowding and another (1815), 1 Stark. 81.
“

I wish that objections to questions as leading, might be a little better considered before they are made. It is necessary, to a certain extent, to lead the mind of the witness to the subject of inquiry. If questions are asked, to which the answer "Yes" or "No" would be conclusive, they would certainly be objectionable, but in general no objections are more frivolous than those which are made to questions as leading ones.

— Edward Law, 1st Baron Ellenborough

What It Means

This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "I wish that objections to questions as leading, might be a little better considered before they are made. It is necessary, to a certain extent, to lead the mind of the witness to the subject of inquiry. If questions are asked, to which the answer "Yes" or "No" would be conclusive, they would certainly be objectionable, but in general no objections are more frivolous than those which are made to questions as leading ones." in the context of "Nicholls v. Dowding and another (1815), 1 Stark. 81." to mean that wisdom is timeless.

Source: Wikiquote: "Edward Law, 1st Baron Ellenborough" (Quotes) The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 18, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app

About Edward Law, 1st Baron Ellenborough

Edward Law, 1st Baron Ellenborough, PC, KC (16 November 1750 – 13 December 1818) was an English judge. After serving as a Member of Parliament and Attorney General, he became Lord Chief Justice.