Rules of language

Rules of language

1. Ejusdem generis rule

   • In a list, general words that follow specific words are limited to the same type as the specific ones
   • “cats, dogs and other animals,” then the “other animals” will include other domestic animals but not wild animals
   • Re Stockport Ragged (1898). Here the courts had to consider the words “cathedral, collegiate, and other schools.” The court decided that “other schools” was to include other church schools.
     • Another example where this rule was plied was in Powell v Kempton Park, where the court decided that “house, office, room or other place for betting” could include open air betting.

2. Expressio unius exclusion alterius

   • ”express mention of one thing implies the exclusion of another”.
   • So for example in an Act states Labrador dogs, then all other breeds are excluded.
   • This rule of language was applied in the case Tempest v Kilner, and also in R v Inhabitants of Sedgeley, where the Act referred to a list to coal mines and so it did not apply to those not on the list.

3. Noscitur a sociis

   • a word draws meaning from other words around it.
   • This means that words must be looked at in context and interpreted accordingly.
   • Words in the same section were important in the case Inland Revenue v Frere, where, a section of the Act referred to “interest, or other annual interest” and because reference was made to other annul interest then the court decided that the use of the word at the start “interest” meant it referred to annual interest and not daily or monthly interest.