last antecedent rule

Definition of "last antecedent rule"
  1. A principle used in legal interpretation where a court decides that qualifying words or phrases refer to the words directly before them, unless it logically should apply to something else or less obvious
How to use "last antecedent rule" in a sentence
  1. In the contract clause using the 'last antecedent rule', the restrictions only applied to the last item.
  2. The judge used the ‘last antecedent rule’ to interpret the confusing statute.
  3. Using the last antecedent rule, the court clarified the meaning of the ambiguous provision.

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