Equitable construction can restrain, enlarge, or contradict a statute’s letter

Evidence

In some cases the letter of a legislative act is restrained by an equitable construction; in others it is enlarged; in others the construction is contrary to the letter. The equitable construction which restrains the letter of a statute is defined by Aristotle, as frequently quoted, in this manner: Aequitas est correctio legis generaliter latoe qua parti deficit. — Henry M. Hart, Jr. and Albert M. Sacks, The Legal Process, 1903

Categorization

• DEFINE: Labels the three modes of equitable construction and gives Aristotle’s equity-as-correction-of-law definition, which situates the chapter’s dominant counter-textualist position.
• XREF: connects to: Vague legal arrangements can articulate tightly when applied to concrete facts — Henry M. Hart, Jr. and Albert M. Sacks, The Legal Process: Basic Problems in…, 1680; Equitable construction applies only to remedial statutes, not to rules of public policy — Henry M. Hart, Jr. and Albert M. Sacks, The Legal Process: Basic Problems in…, 1863; Reading meaning into statutes corrupts once legislation becomes an available remedy — Henry M. Hart, Jr. and Albert M. Sacks, The Legal Process: Basic Problems in…, 1975 (+5 more)

Broader Connections

• When a statute addresses judges, its meaning can be reshaped both ways #expands (0.95) — Henry M. Hart, Jr. and Albert M. Sacks, The Legal Process, 3322
• Courts may not amend a statute however desirable policy change may be #contradicts (0.85) — Henry M. Hart, Jr. and Albert M. Sacks, The Legal Process, 1059
• Courts follow canons of construction as guidelines, not binding rules #expands (0.80) — Lawrence M. Friedman and Grant M. Hayden, American Law, 498
• Courts decide statutory meaning where legislative intent is genuinely ambiguous #qualifies (0.75) — Lawrence M. Friedman and Grant M. Hayden, American Law, 490
• Common-law courts award damages while equity courts issue injunctions #exemplifies (0.75) — Lawrence M. Friedman and Grant M. Hayden, American Law, 351