The Red Lion

The Red Lion is a symbolic term from a 19th-century legal case that established the principle that courts should interpret laws based on their clear and natural meaning, rather than trying to guess the intent behind them. It emphasizes that words in legislation should be given their ordinary sense unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. This approach helps ensure laws are applied consistently and predictably, adhering to what the language plainly states. Essentially, the Red Lion serves as a guiding principle for legal interpretation, focusing on straightforward reading of legal texts.