Statutory Interpretation - Rules

Description

A-Level Law (AS) Flashcards on Statutory Interpretation - Rules, created by Ellen Worrall on 17/04/2016.
Ellen Worrall
Flashcards by Ellen Worrall, updated more than 1 year ago
Ellen Worrall
Created by Ellen Worrall about 8 years ago
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Resource summary

Question Answer
What is the literal rule? Words in statute must be given their plain, ordinary/literal meaning to discover PARLIAMENTS INTENT expressed in the words used, even if it leads to ABSURDITY
Whitley v Chapel * Pretended to be a deceased person to use their vote * Offence to impersonate anyone entitled to vote * Literal meaning = DEAD PEOPLE CANNOT VOTE, therefore no offence
LNER v Berrimen * Husband killed whilst working on tracks. Compensation only available if relaying/repairing the tracks (V was oiling them) * AO2: absurd outcome
Cutter v Eaglestar insurance * Can of lighter fuel exploded over claimant in car park * Insurance company didn't pay out; only insures injuries on a road
Cheeseman * Police arrested man touching himself in railway toilets. (Offence = causing offence to passengers) * Police not passengers so no offence
Fisher v Bell * Flick knife in window display of shop. * Offence = selling a flick knife * D argued that it wasn't on sale, but an "INVITATION TO TREAT" * Not guilty
Why is the literal rule the preferred rule of judges? Respects words that have been used by Parliament & means judges don't have to rewrite law
What did Lord Esher state in R v Judge of the city of London? Have to accept absurdity
Why was the golden rule created? To avoid absurdity where possible (Lord Wenslydale). Stays within what the law intended to do but doesn't modify it to change intention
What is the narrow view in the golden rule? Looking at the word from other meanings
What is the broader view in the golden rule? Used to avoid a wrong outcome
R v Allen * Bigamy case. * Under the literal rule = not guilty. Person cannot get married who is already married. * Golden rule questioned meaning of 'marry' (a ceremony of marriage was found to be sufficient)
R v Sigsworth * Killed mother then killed himself * Courts = shouldn't inherit where he killed the deceased (shouldn't benefit from crimes) * Therefore family had nothing to inherit from him
Alder v George * Protesting inside HM Forces in prohibited place (outside army base) * "In the vicinity of" meant in/near the place * Courts wish to find DD guilty, interpret law subjectively (AO2)
What is the mischief rule? Where the courts look at what the mischief that the law was trying to prevent when the statute was first written
Hayden's case (1584) 4 points 1. What was the common law prior to the act 2. What was the mischief/defect with the common law 3. What remedy did Parliament provide to resolve it 4. Function of the judge is to make sure mischief is surpressed
Smith v Hughes * Women soliciting from a balcony * Arrested under Street Offences Act for soliciting * Guilty = mischief aimed at was people being molested/solicited by prostitutes whilst they were on the street * Widens the act
Royal College of Nursing v DHSS * Abortion can only be carried out by a doctor (1st part = doctor, 2nd part was done by unsupervised nurse) * Parliament trying to remedy back street abortions performed by unqualified people * Not guilty
Corkey v Carpenter * Drunk in charge of a "carriage" on the highway under the Highway Act then guilty * D was drunkenly riding bicycle * "Carriage" interpreted to be some form of transport * Aim of Parliament was to stop mischief on the highway
DPP V Bull * Male escort charged with loitering/soliciting * Courts = "prostitute" was limited to female prostitutes * Mischief was attempting to remedy mischief caused by women
What is the purposive approach? 2 points * Very similar to mischief rule however it tries to identify in advance what the criminal activity is * What was the purpose of the words in the statute?
Jones v Tower Boot Co Ltd * Complainant suffered racial discrimination for which the employers were liable under statute * CA = acts of discrimination were committed "in the course of employment"
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