The plain meaning rule guides courts in interpreting legislation by beginning with the words the legislature enacted. This lesson explains what the rule means, how courts identify a word’s ordinary meaning, and why context and statutory definitions matter.
The plain meaning rule, also called the literal rule, directs courts to read a statute according to the ordinary meaning of its language. When the statutory words are clear and unambiguous, the court generally applies them as written rather than substituting what it believes the legislature intended to say.
All flashcards
What is the plain meaning rule?
A method of statutory interpretation that generally gives statutory words their ordinary meaning, subject to definitions and recognized limits.
What is the literal rule?
Another name for the plain meaning rule, which begins with the enacted words of a statute.
How does an explicit statutory definition affect interpretation?
It generally governs how the defined term is understood within that statute, even if everyday usage differs.
How can intended readership affect statutory interpretation?
A term may carry a technical sense in specialist legislation and an ordinary sense in legislation aimed at the general public.
How does the plain meaning rule relate to originalism?
Both attend to legal text, but originalism focuses more broadly on meaning when a legal text was adopted.
Quiz questions
How does the strict plain meaning rule treat clear statutory words when their application produces a harsh outcome?Answer: It applies the words as written despite the harsh outcome.
When may a soft plain meaning approach depart from a literal application?Answer: When that application would produce a cruel or absurd result.
In Whiteley v. Chappel, why did the literal wording not cover impersonating a deceased person entitled to vote?Answer: The deceased person was not a person entitled to vote.
What principle did the Sussex Peerage Case emphasize for precise and unambiguous statutory words?Answer: Give them their natural and ordinary sense.
Based on the Wikipedia article Plain meaning rule, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.