A Dictionary of Statutory Interpretation

Statutory interpretation has become the most commonly-required skill of the modern lawyer. A Dictionary of Statutory Interpretation provides a ready reference to the important terms and ideas that arise in connection with determining the meaning of legislation.

Chapter 1 includes over 100 entries, including the following:

* ambiguity
* the absurdity canon
* linguistic and substantive canons
* legislative intent
* legislative purpose
* legislative history
* textualism
* Legal Realism
* Law and Economics

Each entry includes a definition, an explanation of the relevance of the term and ideas for statutory interpretation, some history about its use, and a concise discussion of contemporary issues. The author expresses his point of view in the discussion of these issues - which is generally skeptical about textualism - but presents all sides of the debate. A reference section allows for further research on each subject.

Chapter 2 includes over 35 famous quotations dealing with the interpretation of statutes, along with historical and critical commentary. The entries include Learned Hand, Holmes, Calabresi, Posner, Easterbrook, Pound, Blackstone, etc.

The book will be useful for lawyers, judges, law professors, and law students who want an entry into the contemporary debate about how to interpret legislation, along with an insight into what is at stake in those debates.