Methods Of Reasoning

Front 1

Interpretatio cessat in claris

Back 1

There's no room for interpretation if the text is clear.

Front 2

Specialia generalibus derogant

Back 2

Special dispositions derogate from general dispositions

Front 3

Cessante ratione leges cessat ejus dispositio

Back 3

THe effect of a law ends where its rationale ends.

Front 4

Ubi eadem est legis ratio, ibi eadem est legis dispositio

Back 4

The effect of a law extends as far as its rationale extends.

Front 5

Ubi dicit de uno negat de altero

Back 5

Where the law says one thing, it negates the other.

Front 6

A pari ratione

Back 6

(Argument by analogy)
Where a statutory provision lays down a rule for x, one infers that the same rule applies to any non-x that exhibits those characteristics of x that led

Front 7

A contrario sensu

Back 7

Where a statutory provision lays down a rule for x, one can infer, at least under some circumstances, that every non-x is subject to an opposing rule.
(Not very reliable)

Front 8

A fortiori ratione

Back 8

Where a statutory provision lays down a rule for x, one infers that the same rule applies to any non-x for which the same treatment would be even more justified.

Front 9

Ratione legis stricta

Back 9

Where the terms of a statutory provision are clear and precise, one must interpret the provision literally.

Front 10

A generali sensu

Back 10

When a statute is cast in general terms, one must interpret it in as general a sense as is possible, or, in other words cannot restrict its scope by interjecting into it distinctions that its terms do not support.

Front 11

Ejusdem generis

Back 11

Argument from genre
Where a statutory provision sets forth a list of particular things or persons followed by "general words" such as "other things or persons" (in other words, a catch-all term), one may infer that those general words refer only to things or persons that are of the same kind as the particular things or persons listed.

Front 12

A rubrica

Back 12

Argument from title
In interpreting a statutory provision, one may take into account the title of the legislative test.

Front 13

Teleological argument

Back 13

In the future, the rationale will be even more justified.