Legal Definitions - reddendo singula singulis

Reddendo singula singulis is a legal principle of interpretation used to clarify the meaning of documents, statutes, or contracts. It essentially means "rendering each to each" or "assigning separate things to separate subjects." This rule helps ensure that when a statement contains multiple subjects and multiple objects or actions, each subject is correctly matched with its corresponding object or action, preventing ambiguity and giving effect to the intended meaning.

Here are some examples illustrating how this principle applies:

• Example 1: A Will or Trust Document

  Imagine a will that states, "I bequeath my antique watch, my collection of rare books, and my beachfront cottage to my grandchildren, Sarah, David, and Emily."

  Applying reddendo singula singulis, a court would interpret this to mean that the antique watch goes to Sarah, the collection of rare books goes to David, and the beachfront cottage goes to Emily. The principle matches the items in the order they are listed with the beneficiaries in the order they are listed, assuming this sequential distribution was the testator's (the person making the will) intent.

• Example 2: Company Policy or Regulation

  Consider a company's safety manual that reads, "Employees must wear safety gloves and eye protection when handling corrosive chemicals and operating grinding machinery."

  Using reddendo singula singulis, this instruction would be understood to mean that safety gloves are required when handling corrosive chemicals, and eye protection is required when operating grinding machinery. The rule helps to correctly pair each safety measure with the specific hazard it is designed to address, rather than implying that gloves are needed for machinery or eye protection for chemicals.

• Example 3: A Legal Statute

  Suppose a local ordinance declares, "Vehicles parked illegally or exceeding the speed limit shall be subject to towing or a monetary fine, respectively."

  Here, reddendo singula singulis clarifies the penalties. It means that vehicles parked illegally will be subject to towing, and vehicles exceeding the speed limit will be subject to a monetary fine. The word "respectively" explicitly signals this application, but even without it, the principle guides the interpretation to match the first offense with the first penalty and the second offense with the second penalty.