The Living Tree Doctrine: How Five Women Changed Law Forever

In 1928, a Canadian court ruled that women were not legally

persons. Yes, you heard that right. Five women challenged

this absurdity in what became the Famous Five case. And the Privy Council finally overturned

it in 1929. But here's the twist that still affects you today. This ruling didn't

just grant women personhood in Canada. It established the living tree doctrine, meaning constitutions must

grow and adapt with society rather than remain frozen in time. Think of it

like a tree that bends with the wind instead of snapping. This single case

transformed how courts interpret laws across Commonwealth countries. When judges today rule on digital