Legal Definitions - interpretatio limitata

Interpretatio limitata refers to a method of interpreting a law, contract, or rule in a very narrow and confined way. It means sticking strictly to the exact words used and avoiding any broader meaning, implied intentions, or extensions beyond what is explicitly stated. This approach limits the scope and application of the text to its most literal and restricted sense.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Workplace Policy: Imagine a company policy that states, "Employees are prohibited from bringing pets into the office building." An employee brings a small, caged bird to work. Under an interpretatio limitata, the company might argue that a bird is not typically considered a "pet" in the same way a dog or cat is, and therefore, the policy does not explicitly forbid birds. This interpretation focuses solely on the common understanding of "pet" as larger, domesticated mammals, rather than extending it to all animal companions.

• Construction Contract: A construction contract specifies, "All structural steel must be painted with a rust-inhibiting primer before assembly." The contractor uses a primer that is advertised as rust-inhibiting but also contains a sealant. If a dispute arises, a party applying interpretatio limitata might argue that the contract only required a "rust-inhibiting primer" and did not prohibit additional properties like a sealant, as long as the primary requirement was met. This interpretation avoids reading in additional unstated conditions about the primer's composition.

• Public Park Ordinance: A local ordinance for a public park states, "No motorized vehicles are allowed on the walking trails." A person is seen riding an electric bicycle on a trail. An interpretatio limitata might focus on the term "motorized vehicles" as typically referring to cars, motorcycles, or ATVs, and argue that an electric bicycle, which can also be pedaled and is often treated differently from traditional motorized vehicles in other regulations, is not explicitly covered by the prohibition. This narrow reading limits the ban to only those vehicles clearly understood as "motorized" in the conventional sense.