Canon of Construction Law and Legal Definition
Canon of construction refers to a rule used in construing legal documents. It is a means used commonly by the courts to determine legislative intent. A rule of construction serves no good purpose when there is nothing to construe. However, courts ought not to interpret that which has no need of interpretation, and, when the words of a statute have a definite and precise meaning. Statutes and contracts are read and understood according to the natural language, without resorting to forced construction for the purpose either of limiting or extending their operation. Nevertheless, courts are not concerned with the advisability of legislation, viewed either from a political or economical standpoint. [United States v. Swift, 188 F. 92 (D. Ill. 1911)].