Does a word in a statute have to be given ordinary meaning?

MultiRegion, United States of America

The following excerpt is from Church of Scientology of California v. U.S. Dept. of Justice, 612 F.2d 417 (9th Cir. 1979):

10 Words used in a statute are to be given their ordinary meaning in the absence of persuasive reasons to the contrary. Banks v. Chicago Grain Trimmers, 390 U.S. 459, 465, 88 S.Ct. 1140, 20 L.Ed.2d 30 (1968); Accord Trans Alaska Pipeline Cases, 436 U.S. 631, 643, 98 S.Ct. 2053, 56 L.Ed.2d 591 (1978).

11 410 F.Supp. at 1302.

Other Questions


Does the word "parent" in a statute need to be given its ordinary meaning? (Canada (Federal), Canada)
How have the courts interpreted the meaning of a statute in the context of the history of the statute? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
What is the test for interpreting the meaning of an enactment in its ordinary grammatical meaning? (Canada (Federal), Canada)
How have courts interpreted the meaning of the words "meaning and effect" and "substance" in the interpretation of a statute? ("New York", United States of America)
What is the test for assessing the meaning of a statute in the context of the history of the statute? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
If a section of the New York State Code of Civil Procedure is ambiguous, what is the test for assessing the meaning of the statute in its current form? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
Is a federal district court's interpretation of a federal statute a de novo review of the interpretation of the federal statute? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
Is a federal district court's interpretation of a federal statute a de novo review of the interpretation of the federal statute? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
What is the test for interpreting "plain meaning" of a statute? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
When a statute requires knowledge of the jurisdictional element of a claim, when the statute itself states that knowledge is not an essential element, is that knowledge required? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.