Fascinating.

I used to be a chess nut and a fan of Matlock(old tv legal series).

The thing about chess is that you start with firm rules and structures in mind but there will be times when doing something out of the ordinary may win you the moment. In other words, rules are breakable if the endgame delivers victory.

Is the legal system so accommodating? If a judge knows that justice will be better served by straying from precedent, may he do so? I suppose perhaps only at the highest court of the land and then with qualifications. If not then there's an old saying, "the law is an ass".