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The Computer Journal 1986 29(6):545-552; doi:10.1093/comjnl/29.6.545
© 1986 by British Computer Society
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Fundamental Errors in Legal Logic Programming

P. Leith *

Department of Jurisprudence, Faculty of Law, Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast BT7 1NN, Northern Ireland, UK

It is becoming a commonplace to see substantial claims made for the utility of logic programming – especially that based on the PROLOG programming language – as both an effective programming language and a language which offers new opportunities to apply computer science to novel areas. An example of the latter is the claim made by a team at Imperial College, London to have formalised – in part – the British Nationality Act (1981). I analyse this claim and suggest that the team have a muddled view of the legal process and of the usefulness of logic programming in that field, and suggest that this incorrect perspective might well pervade other areas in which the team claim success. In effect, I wish to dispute the power of logical programming.

Received October 1985.

* Department of Jurisprudence, Faculty of Law, Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast BT7 1NN, Northern Ireland


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