The solution of the problem of improving the quality of normative legal texts, which is relevant in theoretical and practical terms, is impossible without a clear understanding of what is the norm in the language of law and what is an anomaly. The article substantiates that only linguists can determine the criteria of normal and abnormal in the language of law, relying on knowledge of the laws and trends in the development of language as a cultural phenomenon, as well as on understanding the features that the language of law acquires in modern conditions, functioning and changing in inextricable connection with legislation, legal practice, legal awareness. Taking linguistic concepts of the normal and abnormal for the language of law as given, legal scholars have the opportunity to increase the effectiveness of efforts aimed at the development and implementation of such legal and technical means, techniques and rules, the use of which facilitates the perception and interpretation of legal texts.