Rule of Statutory Construction
/ˈruːl əv ˈstætjəˌtɔːri kənˈstrʌkʃən/
Definitions
- (n.) A principle or set of principles guiding courts in interpreting and applying statutory law.
The court applied the rule of statutory construction to resolve ambiguity in the statute's language.
- (n.) Canons of statutory interpretation used to discern legislative intent when the statutory text is unclear or ambiguous.
Under the rule of statutory construction, ambiguous terms are construed against the drafter.
Forms
- rule of statutory construction
- rules of statutory construction
Related terms
See also
Commentary
The term encompasses various interpretive methods courts use, such as textualism and purposivism; practitioners must consider multiple canons depending on context.
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.