diff --git a/spring-binding/src/main/java/org/springframework/binding/message/MessageCriteria.java b/spring-binding/src/main/java/org/springframework/binding/message/MessageCriteria.java
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c8f7ac46
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spring-binding/src/main/java/org/springframework/binding/message/MessageCriteria.java
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+package org.springframework.binding.message;
+
+/**
+ * A predicate used to select mapping result objects in a call to {@link MessageContext#getMessagesByCriteria(MessageCriteria)}.
+ * @author Keith Donald
+ */
+public interface MessageCriteria {
+
+	/**
+	 * Tests if the message meets this criteria.
+	 * @param message the message
+	 * @return true if this criteria is met for the message, false if not
+	 */
+	public boolean test(Message message);
+}