The Problem of Syntactic Ambiguity in Legal Provisions Containing Linear Enumerations Cover Image

Problem wieloznaczności składniowej w przepisach zawierających wyliczenia wierszowe
The Problem of Syntactic Ambiguity in Legal Provisions Containing Linear Enumerations

Author(s): Mateusz Zeifert
Subject(s): Law, Constitution, Jurisprudence
Published by: Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego
Keywords: ambiguity;statutory interpretation;legislative technique;conjunctive words;enumerations;

Summary/Abstract: The article addresses the problem of syntactic ambiguity in legal provisions containing linear enumerations (namely such where the elements of enumeration are placed next to each other, without any editorial distinction). There seem to be two types of such ambiguity. The first one stems from the ambiguity of logical relations between the elements of enumeration. This often involves considerations concerning conjunctive words (i.e. and, or). The second one stems from the ambiguity of purely syntactic relations between the elements of enumeration and the modifiers. This type is rarely properly identified by interpreters in the Polish legal practice. The article offers examples from the Polish case law and makes suggestions for legislative drafters how to avoid the described ambiguity.

  • Issue Year: 2020
  • Issue No: 83
  • Page Range: 262-277
  • Page Count: 16
  • Language: Polish