Where general terms follow specific enumerations, the general terms are construed to include only items similar in nature to those listed. The canon applies to statutes, contracts, and insurance policies.
It requires an identifiable common class.
Alternative Names:
Of the Same Kind|Same Class Canon
Why it Matters?
The canon is decisive in insurance coverage disputes over exclusions listing specific items followed by general language, since the general phrase covers only items sharing the enumerated characteristics rather than everything conceivable. Force majeure clauses listing events followed by other causes beyond control receive the same treatment. Identifying the common characteristic that unites the listed items is the analytical work.
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Frequently asked questions
Where is the canon most decisive?
What does application require?
