Statutory Interpretation

CONTENTS

• The Need for Statutory Interpretation
• The Literal Approach (The Literal, Golden & Mischief Rules)
• The Purposive Approach
• The Three Rules of Language
• Intrinsic Aids
• Extrinsic Aids

The Need For Statutory Interpretation

• A Broad Term where words are designed to cover more than one possibility/situation
• Ambiguity where a word has several meanings
• A Drafting Error where an error is made when drafting the bill
• New Developments where new developments mean that old acts no longer apply
• Changes in the Use of Language where language used in the Act has gained new meanings since the Act was made