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Legal Interpretation Techniques

The maxim noscitur a sociis means that the meaning of an ambiguous word can be determined by considering the other words around it. If a word has multiple meanings but is used alongside other words, it will take on the meaning that is consistent with the other words. This helps interpret potentially unclear legal terms by looking at the context provided by neighboring words. Courts have used noscitur a sociis to determine that "suspension" refers to a punitive action and that "physical injuries" means bodily harm in legal documents and cases.

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121 views6 pages

Legal Interpretation Techniques

The maxim noscitur a sociis means that the meaning of an ambiguous word can be determined by considering the other words around it. If a word has multiple meanings but is used alongside other words, it will take on the meaning that is consistent with the other words. This helps interpret potentially unclear legal terms by looking at the context provided by neighboring words. Courts have used noscitur a sociis to determine that "suspension" refers to a punitive action and that "physical injuries" means bodily harm in legal documents and cases.

Uploaded by

Mia abarquez
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Noscitur a sociis

ABARQUEZ, Janina C.
 The maxim, nocitur a sociis, states that where a
particular word or phrase is ambiguous in itself
or is equally susceptible of various meanings, its
correct construction may be made clear and
specific by considering the company of words in
which it is found or with which it is associated.
 The meaning of an unclear or ambiguous word
should be determined by considering the words
with which it is associated in the context.
 Where the law does not define a word used
therein [in the law], it will be construed as having
a meaning similar to that of words associated
with or accompanied by it.
 An apparently general word or phrase may have a
limited application if viewed with other
companion words or phrases. A word or phrase
should be interpreted in relation to, or given the
same meaning of, words with which it is
associated.
 Such in the case of Buenaseda vs. Flavier where
Section 13(3), Article XI of the Philippine
Constitution which grants the Ombudsman the
power to “Direct the officer concerned to take
appropriate action against a public official or
employee at fault, and recommend his removal,
suspension, demotion, fine, censure or
prosecution, and ensure compliance therewith.”
The Court held that on the basis of noscitur a
sociis, the word “suspension” should be given the
same sense as the other words with which it is
associated with, that is a penalty or punitive in
nature, as opposed to preventive measure.
 Explained further in the case of Carandang vs. Santiago,
the issue in the case herein is whether or not a party can file
for a separate and independent civil action for damages
arising from physical injuries during the pendency of the
criminal action for frustrated homicide.
 The Court held that the term “physical injuries” should be
understood to mean bodily harm or injury, such as physical
injuries, frustrated homicide, or even death.
 Article 33 of the Civil Code uses the words “defamation”
and “fraud” in their ordinary sense because there are no
specific provisions in the Revised Penal Code using these
terms as means of offenses as defined in the law therein.
 Thank you for listening sa aking hanash. Di ako
magaling gumawa ng PPT Presentation.
Magaling lang ako sa oral. *winky face* Joke!
HAHAHAHA!
 Sana pumasa na ako ng StatCon kasi bumagsak
po ako noong 1st year sa notorious prof. Char,
Atty.! Walang pressure.
 Sabi niyo pasayahin eh. Ito po talaga 2nd option
ko pag di naging abogado, maging komedyante.
 THANK YOU. Tawa na kayo.

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