Reich v. Reading’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

15 state decisions

Most-quoted passages

The sentences later courts lift from this opinion, ranked by how many decisions quote each — the parts of the opinion doing the work. These counts are smaller than the citation total above because most of the 15 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. ““A municipality may designate by definition any meaning it wishes to be accorded particular words or phrases in an ordinance, even though the meaning differs from that ordinarily conveyed by the word or phrase: Sterling v. Philadelphia, 378 Pa. 538 [ 106 A. 2d 793 (1954)]. However, in the absence of a specific definition in an ordinance, words and phrases must be construed according to their common and approved usage: Act of May 28, 1937, P.L. 1019, §33, 46 P.S. 533. Also, in construing a zoning ordinance, there is an additional rule of construction that words of restriction upon the use of property, being in derogation of common law, must receive a strict construction in favor of the property owner, and words of allowance receive a broad construction.” (Citing cases.)”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. Pennsburg Borough v. Wensel

2. ““. . . a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive preparation including instruction in skills and methods as well as in the scientific, historical, or scholarly principles underlying such skills and methods, maintaining by force of organization or concerted opinion high standards of achievement and conduct and committing its members to continued study and to a kind of work which has for its prime purpose the rendering of a public service.””

   1 later decision quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. Paoletta v. Aetna Casualty & Surety Co.