What is a "cannon" in legal terminology?

In legal terminology, a "cannon" refers to a system of correlated rules or standards that guide the interpretation and application of laws, particularly in the context of statutory and case law. This concept often relates to established principles that ensure consistency and coherence in legal reasoning and decision-making. For example, canons of statutory construction provide guidelines on how laws should be interpreted, ensuring that legislation is applied as intended by the lawmakers.

Understanding canons helps legal professionals navigate the law effectively, as they outline accepted practices and principles that inform both statutory interpretation and precedent. This framing allows judges, lawyers, and scholars to engage with legal texts meaningfully and helps maintain uniformity in the application of legal standards across different cases.