Canon
Canon: A rule or principle. In law, the word usually refers to the canons of construction, the rules courts use to interpret statutes and contracts, such as reading words in context. It also refers to rules of professional or judicial ethics, such as the Code of Conduct for United States Judges, and to the rules of a church.
What canon means
In short, canon is a term you will meet in court papers, rules and legal research. The definition above gives its usual meaning in American civil practice. However, the exact meaning can depend on the rule, statute or court decision that uses it. So it helps to read the term in context.
Where canon comes up
The term is used across many kinds of cases. For example, you may see it in pleadings, motions and court orders. To see it in context, browse the motions and procedures library or the Learn the Law topics.
Read the source: Canon law.
How to research the term
Start with the primary source. For example, if canon appears in a federal rule, read the rule itself and its official notes. After that, check your court’s local rules and any standing orders from the judge. In addition, search recent decisions from your own state or federal district. They show how courts read canon in practice. Because state rules often differ, our state procedures guide links to each state’s official rules. Above all, make sure the version you read is still in force.
You can read the current federal court rules online for free.
Related legal terms
- Bond: has several meanings.
- Bound: legally required to follow or perform something.
- Brief: a written legal argument submitted to a court. Appellate briefs follow detailed rules on contents, length and format (Fed. R. App. P. 28, 32), and trial courts receive briefs supporting or opposing motions. An amicus curiae brief is filed by a non-party (Fed. R. App. P. 29).
- Burden of proof: the obligation to prove a fact or claim to the required standard.
Why precise terms matter
Legal words often look like everyday words, but they can carry a precise meaning. Because of that, a small misreading can change how you understand a deadline, a duty or a right. Our glossary keeps each definition short and links it to the procedures where it matters.
Sources
Sources last reviewed: 2026-10-24
Lawtopolis provides legal information and education, not legal advice. Using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and court rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time; verify every authority against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction about your situation.