Full Description
This book introduces ideas about word meaning in the context of law. It analyzes cases from common law jurisdictions that concern the meaning, definition and legal status of individual words, labels and categories. The focus is on the question of how law assigns authority over word meaning in different circumstances and in different domains of law.
Contents
Note on Conventions.- IntroductionMEANING AND INTERPRETATION 1. Linguistic Meaning.- 2. Word Meaning and Interpretation in the Law.- 3. Ordinary Language and Legal Language.- PART II: CASE STUDIES 4. Classification and Legislative Intent.- 5. Characterizing an Event.- 6. The Classification of Mundane Objects I: Food Items in United Kingdom Tax Law.- 7. The Classification of Mundane Objects II: Cases from the United States.- 8. Technological Change and Legal Categories.- 9. Lawful and Unlawful Searches.- 10. Colonial Encounters: What is a Sacred Object?.- 11. Defining Identity I: Job or Profession.- 12. Defining Identity II: Nation, People and Race.- 13. Defining Identity III: Transgender Identities.- 14. Defining Identity IV: Corporate Personhood.- PART III: CONCLUDING DISCUSSION 15. Word Meaning and Interpretative Authority.- Abbreviations.- References.- Cases Cited.
