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Thank you, Mark, for your reply. You told me something I didn’t know.

From what you’ve said, walking about after dark is acceptable if the lights are already on, or if someone else is “making the fire” [turning the lights on]. Correct? If that is the case this couple could ask the apartment management to keep the hall lights burning on their floor all Sabbath night. I’m sure it could be arranged. A lawsuit seems really silly when alternatives are available.

Since I live in the countryside without street lights, after sundown it is pitch black when moonless and very difficult to get around outside without a flashlight. I suppose those would violate the Sabbath rule about making a fire, too.

They wouldn't even need to leave the hall lights burning at all times. A simple timer on the circuit would be perfectly acceptable. Or, combine that with an electric eye that turns the lights on when it gets dark, so that the lights are running all the time. I mean, there's no reason to have the lights on very late at night.

But what I meant was that there could be a timer/motion sensor combination so that the lights were on, say until midnight, and then afterwards, it goes to motion sensor. Simple fix, no court costs! That's why I agree that it's probably for a big score.

Regarding your situation, what about those solar powered "garden lights" that have a small solar panel that charges a battery, and an electric eye, so that the light comes on automatically when it gets dark? This might be of some use at least on your own property. For my Grandfather, that wasn't an issue, since there were street lights.

Mark