Canons

/ˈkænənz/

Definitions

  1. (n.) Established principles or rules of law, ethics, or theology, especially those forming the body of ecclesiastical law.
    The church followed the canons when deciding on disciplinary matters.
  2. (n.) Authorized or accepted standards and norms guiding judicial interpretation and statutory construction.
    The court applied the canons of statutory interpretation to resolve the ambiguity.

Commentary

In legal contexts, 'canons' often refers collectively to well-established rules or principles, especially in ecclesiastical law or statutory interpretation.

This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.

Draft confidently with Amicus

Create, negotiate, and sign agreements in one secure workspace—invite collaborators, track revisions, and keep audit-ready records automatically.

Open the Amicus app