&gt; The context the law was originally written in is just fluff<p>The magistrate&#x27;s <i>job</i> is to apply <i>and interpret</i> the law.  Lawyers study the circumstances under which laws were created for <i>years</i> before they can practice, and magistrates are on the whole even more educated in law than your average lawyer.  His commentary is appropriate and helpful for fully understanding his logic.