In the common law tradition, textual interpretation is covered by the term “literal rule".

The mischief rule in common law is akin to the legislative intent in the civil law tradition.

If one adopts the subjective theory, the literal and historical interpretation shall absolutely prevail over the teleological interpretation.

The systematic interpretation is a significant canon of construction in the public law tradition.

In some areas of law such as criminal law, arguments based on the wording of the norm have strict priority over other canons of interpretation.