LEGAL SYSTEM OF ENGLAND AND WALES: Sara Ahmed
ACTS OF PARLIAMENT RULES OF INTERPRETATION
Parliament = King + House of Commons (democratically elected) + House of
Lords (not democratically elected). 1. Literal rule: plain, ordinary and literal meaning. If the words are clear, they must
be applied, even though the intention of the legislator may have been different,
Both houses involved in making Act of Parliament. Only if a Bill is passed, will it or the result is harsh or undesirable.
become an Act of Parliament.
2. The golden rule: It provides, where there are two meanings to a word or words,
Parliament is the supreme law-making body in the country. Statute can amend they should be given their ordinary meaning as far as possible, but only to the
case law, but not vice versa. The principle that only Parliament can make or extent they do not produce an absurd or totally obnoxious result. Can be used in
unmake a law is known as the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty, the narrow sense and the wider sense. Mostly used in the narrow sense.
UK courts and international courts have no power under English law to 3. The Mischief rule: The mischief rule requires the interpreter of the statute to
declare an Act of Parliament invalid. ascertain the legislator’s intention.
In the event of conflict between a statute and some other kind of law,
statute prevails. 4. The purposive approach is a more modern style of interpreting statutes, and it
Parliament cannot bind its successors. has overtaken, or in the views of some supplemented, the mischief rule in
relevance. Here, judges look at the reasons why the statute was passed and its
purpose, even if it means departing from the ordinary meaning of the words. This
AIDS TO INTERPRETATION Rules of languages
Intrinsic aid (the statute itself) 1. Noscitur a sociis (recognition by associated words). It is used when the meaning of a word or phrase in a statute or contract
is uncertain, and can be clarified by looking at the words or phrases that surround it. The principle of noscitur a sociis
Extrinsic aids (aids outside the statute provides that words should be interpreted in light of the other words or phrases that appear in the same context. For
itself) example, if a statute refers to "vehicles, such as cars, trucks, and buses", the term "vehicles" would be interpreted to include
only motorized vehicles that are similar in kind to cars, trucks, and buses.
o Interpretation acts
2. iusdem generis (of the same kind or nature). if a general word follows two or more specific words, that general word will
only apply to items of the same type as the specific words. It is used when a general term in a statute or contract is followed
o Dictionaries
by a list of specific examples. For example, if a statute prohibits "animals, such as dogs, cats, and rabbits", the general term
"animals" would be interpreted to include only animals that are similar in kind to dogs, cats, and rabbits.
o Other statutes
3. Expressio unius est exclusio alterius (expressing one thing excludes another) therefore mention of one or more specific
o Hansard (reporting system of things may be taken to exclude others of the same type. This rule applies where there is a list of words that is not followed by
proceedings in Parliament) general words. The principle of expressio unius exclusio alterius provides that the specific examples listed are to be
interpreted as an exclusive list, and that anything not specifically listed is excluded. For example, if a statute prohibits "dogs,
o Other sources (established textbooks
ACTS OF PARLIAMENT RULES OF INTERPRETATION
Parliament = King + House of Commons (democratically elected) + House of
Lords (not democratically elected). 1. Literal rule: plain, ordinary and literal meaning. If the words are clear, they must
be applied, even though the intention of the legislator may have been different,
Both houses involved in making Act of Parliament. Only if a Bill is passed, will it or the result is harsh or undesirable.
become an Act of Parliament.
2. The golden rule: It provides, where there are two meanings to a word or words,
Parliament is the supreme law-making body in the country. Statute can amend they should be given their ordinary meaning as far as possible, but only to the
case law, but not vice versa. The principle that only Parliament can make or extent they do not produce an absurd or totally obnoxious result. Can be used in
unmake a law is known as the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty, the narrow sense and the wider sense. Mostly used in the narrow sense.
UK courts and international courts have no power under English law to 3. The Mischief rule: The mischief rule requires the interpreter of the statute to
declare an Act of Parliament invalid. ascertain the legislator’s intention.
In the event of conflict between a statute and some other kind of law,
statute prevails. 4. The purposive approach is a more modern style of interpreting statutes, and it
Parliament cannot bind its successors. has overtaken, or in the views of some supplemented, the mischief rule in
relevance. Here, judges look at the reasons why the statute was passed and its
purpose, even if it means departing from the ordinary meaning of the words. This
AIDS TO INTERPRETATION Rules of languages
Intrinsic aid (the statute itself) 1. Noscitur a sociis (recognition by associated words). It is used when the meaning of a word or phrase in a statute or contract
is uncertain, and can be clarified by looking at the words or phrases that surround it. The principle of noscitur a sociis
Extrinsic aids (aids outside the statute provides that words should be interpreted in light of the other words or phrases that appear in the same context. For
itself) example, if a statute refers to "vehicles, such as cars, trucks, and buses", the term "vehicles" would be interpreted to include
only motorized vehicles that are similar in kind to cars, trucks, and buses.
o Interpretation acts
2. iusdem generis (of the same kind or nature). if a general word follows two or more specific words, that general word will
only apply to items of the same type as the specific words. It is used when a general term in a statute or contract is followed
o Dictionaries
by a list of specific examples. For example, if a statute prohibits "animals, such as dogs, cats, and rabbits", the general term
"animals" would be interpreted to include only animals that are similar in kind to dogs, cats, and rabbits.
o Other statutes
3. Expressio unius est exclusio alterius (expressing one thing excludes another) therefore mention of one or more specific
o Hansard (reporting system of things may be taken to exclude others of the same type. This rule applies where there is a list of words that is not followed by
proceedings in Parliament) general words. The principle of expressio unius exclusio alterius provides that the specific examples listed are to be
interpreted as an exclusive list, and that anything not specifically listed is excluded. For example, if a statute prohibits "dogs,
o Other sources (established textbooks
