The 12th Edition of Black’s Law Dictionary was released early last month.
Chief Editor Bryan A. Garner and publisher Thomson Reuters highlight that 2,500 new terms have been added to the more than 70,000 law-related words and phrases. Thousands of Latin maxims also make their debut.
Plus, every page has been supplemented and revised.
Price: $89.95.
Should you upgrade your current Black’s? Yes.
The preface explains that “[t]he lexicographer must do what is practicable to improve each new edition….” “Anyone who cares to put this book alongside any of the first six editions (pre-1991 editions) will discover that the book has been entirely rewritten, with an increase in precision and clarity.”
An improvement example
A state trial court judge issued a 60-page decision in a high-profile case on July 4, 2024.
The 2024 authoring judge twice relied on the 6th Edition of Black’s Law Dictionary (issued in 1990) when considering the phrases “related to” and “relate to”:
Something is “related to” something if it is “connected.” Black’s Law Dictionary 1288 (6th ed. 1990). Indeed, to “relate to” something is “to bring into association with or connection with.” Black’s Law Dictionary 1288 (6th ed. 1990).
The 2024 written decision correctly portrays Black’s definitions as they existed 34 years ago.
But dictionaries are fluid and entries can be framed differently in later editions.
What confidence should be given to analysis that relies on authority that’s outdated by decades?
Fast forward to the year 2024. Black’s now defines“relate” and “relate” on page 1,544—not page 1,288 like they were in 1990.
And the 12th Edition now offers seven entries for “relate” and three for “related”:
This real-life example shows how the 12th Edition’s preface about comparing it against pre-1991 editions is true: “[T]he book has been entirely rewritten, with an increase in precision and clarity.”
Naturally, a curious mind will wonder how things fared in the 2019-released 11th Edition. Should one invest in the 12th Edition if one already has the 11th Edition on their bookshelf?
Turns out that the 11th Edition only defined “related” and had left out “relate”.
So, yes, the 12th Edition is still worth the bookshelf add.
Final thoughts
While Bryan A. Garner rightly reminds
“There’s good reason why Black’s is the dictionary of record in American law and renowned worldwide: it’s the most extensive, accurate, clearly drafted, and authoritative dictionary ever written for the legal profession and for anyone else needing legal definitions. When you use Black’s, you’re using the most trusted and respected resource.”
one should consider that your reader’s trust and openness to persuasion can evaporate if the legal writer doesn’t keep current when citing Black’s Law Dictionary.