Legal interpretation

Ijtihad ( ; '''' , ) is an Islamic legal term referring to independent reasoning by an expert in Islamic law, or the thorough exertion of a jurist's mental faculty in finding a solution to a legal question. It is contrasted with taqlid (imitation, conformity to legal precedent). According to classical Sunni theory, ijtihad requires expertise in the Arabic language, theology, revealed texts, and principles of jurisprudence (usul al-fiqh), and is not employed where authentic and authoritative texts (Qur'an and hadith) are considered unambiguous with regard to the question, or where there is an e

judicial interpretation of statutory law

Latin legal term describing a legal opinion issued in passing

ways courts interpret laws, especially Constitutional laws

method in law which is used to resolve issues on which there is no previous authority

form of argument to test if an act is lawful

legal principle expressed in Latin

doctrine of contractual interpretation providing that, where a promise, agreement or term is ambiguous, the preferred meaning should be the one that works against the interests of the party who provided the wording

established principle of law

legal maxim