textualism Definition
a legal interpretation method that relies on the plain meaning of the text of a law or document, without considering other factors such as legislative intent or historical context.
Using textualism: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "textualism" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The judge's textualism approach to interpreting the Constitution has been a subject of debate among legal scholars.
Example
Textualism is often contrasted with purposivism, which considers the intention behind the law or document.
Summary: textualism in Brief
Textualism [tek-styoo-uh-liz-uhm] is a legal interpretation method that focuses solely on the plain meaning of the text of a law or document, disregarding other factors like legislative intent or historical context. It is often compared to purposivism, which takes into account the intention behind the law or document.
