term:

Legislative Intent

legislative intent n

: the ends sought to be achieved by a legislature in an enactment NOTE: Courts often look to legislative intent for guidance in interpreting and applying a law. The legislative history, the language of the law, and the wrong to be corrected may provide indications of the legislative intent.

Source: Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©1996. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.