Legislative Intent & Ordinary Meaning 

About the project

Our project brings together scholars from Law, Political Science, Philosophy and French Studies at the University of Western Ontario to investigate how laws are interpreted within legal institutions and understood by the public. 

Like all language, the language of law can be ambiguous, vague, or otherwise hard to understand. It often combines technical and ordinary meanings, aiming to be precise, but also accessible to everyone. As a result, the intention of the legislature can be unclear. This poses problems both for judges interpreting the law and for people trying to follow it.

Our project aims to study this phenomenon from the perspectives of multiple disciplines, using both philosophical and empirical approaches. The broader goal is to connect scholars globally to explore topics at the intersection of law and language. 

Ways to take part

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Decolonization (EDID)


The initiative prioritizes EDID by ensuring diverse representation in team members, network members, and the scholarship it promotes. Efforts will be made to include scholars from underrepresented groups and diversify the academic canon. The initiative will address systemic barriers by encouraging participation from diverse voices and perspectives, making knowledge more accessible, and fostering a more inclusive scholarly community.