A Logical Understanding of Legal Interpretation

If compliance with a norm does not achieve its purpose, then its applicability must dynamically be restricted or expanded. Legal interpretation is a mechanism from law allowing norms to be adapted to unforeseen situations. We model this mechanism for norms regulating computer systems by representing the purpose of norms by social goals and by revising the constitutive rules defining the applicability of norms. We illustrate the interpretation mechanism by examples.

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2010
• Where: KR
• Authors: Guido Boella, Guido Governatori, Antonino Rotolo, Leendert van der Torre
• Keywords: Automated Reasoning, KR 2010, Law Allowing Norms, Legal Interpretation, Unforeseen Situations