Der schrittweise Bedeutungsverlust der Versteinerungsmethode

The petrification method (Versteinerungsmethode) is known as an Austrian constitutional peculiarity, both in terms of linguistic expression and methodological approach. The prevailing opinion assumes that it originated as a general method of interpretation of the Austrian Constitution in 1930 or 1952. Leading legal scholars have attested to it a triumphal march through interpretation in Austrian public law starting with the interpretation of competences, via state organisation law to fundamental rights. Concisely formulated, the petrification method means the following: Undefined expressions contained in constitutional provisions must be given the same meaning that they had according to ordinary statutes at the time of the entry into force of the constitutional provisions.