Statutory Interpretation

Statutory Interpretation

1. Rules of Construction

   • Literal
     • Sussex Peerage Case 1844
     • Whiteley v. Chappell 1868
   • Golden
     • R v. Allen 1872
     • Re. Sigsworth 1935
   • Mischief
     • Corkery v. Carpenter 1951
     • R (on the application of the Electorial Commission v. Westminster Magistrates' Court [2011]

2. Purposive Approach

   • EU
     • European Communities Act 1972
   • Lister v. Dry Dock Engineeting Co. Ltd [1990]
   • HRA 1998
     • R v. A (No.2) [2002]

3. Rules of Language

   • Eiusem genetris
     • Of the same type
       • Powell v. Kempton Park Racecourse Co (1899)
   • Nosciitur a sociis
     • Known by the company it keeps
       • Pengelley v. Bell Punch Co. Ltd 1964
   • Expressio unius est exclusion alterius
     • To express one thing excludes others
       • R v. Secretary of State for the Home Department ex. parte Crew (1982)
       • R v. Inhabitants of Sedgeley 1831

4. Presumptions against...

   • alteration of the common law
   • retrospective operation of statutes
   • criminal liability without guilty intention
   • deprivation of liberty
   • deprivation of property /interference with private rights
   • binding the Crown except expressly or by necessary implication of the statute
   • ousting the jurisdiction of the courts

5. Aids to interpretation

   • Intrinsic
     • Statue itself
       • Chandler v. DPP 1964
   • Extrinsic
     • Pepper v. Hart (1993)