What does 'statutory interpretation' involve?

Statutory interpretation involves analyzing how legislation applies to specific cases. This process is essential for understanding the meaning of legal texts, as it allows judges, lawyers, and other legal professionals to ascertain the intent of the legislature when creating a law. Through statutory interpretation, the language of a statute is examined in its context and applied to various situations to resolve legal disputes.

This aspect is crucial in ensuring that laws are implemented fairly and consistently, as statutes may be ambiguous or open to multiple interpretations. By interpreting legislation, legal practitioners can clarify how statutes influence the outcomes of cases, shaping the application of law in practical scenarios.

In contrast, creating new laws pertains to the legislative process, establishing legal precedents involves court decisions shaping the application of law based on prior cases, and the enforcement of laws deals with how laws are upheld by authorities. These options do not encapsulate the core focus of statutory interpretation, which is fundamentally about understanding and applying existing legislation.