About the Course

Statutes can have different interpretations that can change a case's outcome. How do courts clarify this ambiguity? This course will give you context for statutory language and the common (and sometimes conflicting) guidelines that aid in interpretation.

This minicourse will teach you about statutory interpretation and some of the intricacies of the legislative process. It also offers a review of statutory and regulatory research, which are essential when dealing with questions of statutory interpretation.

What You Gain

Once you successfully complete this minicourse, you will be able to:

• Understand the complexities of the legislative process and its effect on statutory language.
• Differentiate between theories of statutory interpretation.
• Explain, recognize, and apply different canons of interpretation.
• Locate relevant statutes and ensure that they are up-to-date.
• Recognize the basic structural elements of statutes.
• Locate and analyze case law interpreting and applying a statute.
• Understand the relationship between statutes and regulations.