This book presents a comprehensive theory of legal interpretation, by a leading judge and legal theorist. Currently, different theories of interpretation are applied to constitutions, statutes, rules, wills, and contracts. Aharon Barak argues that what he calls "purposive interpretation" allows jurists and scholars to approach all legal texts in a similar manner while remaining sensitive to important differences.
As Barak explains, the criterion for establishing which of the semantic meanings of a given text equates with the legal meaning is the text's "purpose." Establishing the ultimate purpose - and thus the legal meaning - depends on the relationship between the subjective and objective purposes; that is, between the original intent of the text's author and the intent of a reasonable author and of the legal system at the time of interpretation.
Determining this is easy when the subjective and objective purposes coincide. But when they don't, the relative weight given to each purpose depends on the text. For example, subjective purpose is given more weight in interpreting a will; objective purpose, in interpreting a constitution. Barak develops this theory with masterful scholarship and close attention to its practical application. Throughout, he contrasts his approach with those of other leading jurists such as Antonin Scalia, Richard Posner, and Ronald Dworkin.
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