"It is to a lawyer.  They still cite Blackwell, Code Napoleon, or even the laws of Justinian.  Mark it down, Jill; if the High Court rules that the Larkin Decision applies, Smith is in a position to grant or withhold concessions on Mars which may be worth millions, or more likely billions.  If he assigns his claim to the present administration, then Secretary Douglas is the man who will hand out the plums.  Which is just what Douglas is trying to rig.  You saw that bug transcript."