The literal rule

The literal rule

1. Courts give plain,ordinary meaning to words, even if outcome is absurd.

2. Whitley v Chappell: defendant pretended to be a person on the voters list who had already died. statute stated that it was an offence to impersonate any person ''entitled to vote''. D wasnt found guilty, dead people not entitled to vote.

3. inland v Hinchy : defendant did not declare all his post office accounts and did not pay enough taxes. the HOL held that any tax payer should pay triple their original tax bill, even if they have paid a ortion of it.

4. LNER V Berriman: berrian was maintitng the railway line, he was not provided with a look out , killed by a train. statute said that only people who were relaying or repairing the line would have been provided with a look out. his wife couldn't claim.

5. Fisher v Bell : unlawful to sell or offer for sale a knife. d just displayed it, displaying is invitation to treat not offer to sale, d found not guilty.