Analyzing Legal Metaphors: Implications for Justice

Asiimwe Kyomugisha T.

Faculty of Business, Kampala International University, Uganda

ABSTRACT

Metaphors play a central role in legal discourse, shaping not only how laws are understood but also how they are applied. This paper examines the pervasive use of metaphors in legal contexts, examining how they influence perceptions of justice, legal reasoning, and decision-making. Drawing on cognitive linguistics and critical discourse analysis, it highlights the dual nature of metaphors both as tools of clarity and as potential sources of bias. The analysis investigates traditional metaphors, such as architectural constructs of law, and their implications for social justice, power structures, and inclusivity. It also considers empirical research on judicial attitudes toward metaphors, uncovering how metaphorical language can sway public opinion and judicial outcomes. The paper concludes by advocating for the ethical and deliberate use of legal metaphors to promote transparency, accessibility, and fairness in the pursuit of justice.

Keywords: Legal metaphors, cognitive linguistics, justice, legal discourse, critical discourse analysis.

CITE AS: Asiimwe Kyomugisha T. (2025). Analyzing Legal Metaphors: Implications for Justice. RESEARCH INVENTION JOURNAL OF CURRENT ISSUES IN ARTS AND MANAGEMENT 4(2):1-4. https://doi.org/10.59298/RIJCIAM/2025/421400