Expressio Unius
/ɪkˈsprɛʃi.oʊ ˈjuːniəs/
Definitions
- (n.) A canon of statutory construction holding that the expression of one thing implies the exclusion of others not mentioned.
The court applied expressio unius to conclude that because the statute specified one exception, others did not apply.
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Commentary
Expressio unius is commonly invoked in interpreting statutes and contracts to infer exclusive enumeration; drafters should clearly enumerate to avoid ambiguity.
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.