Interpretation – Introduction

Primary Rules	Subsidiary Rules	Basic Principals
1. The Literal Interpretation 2. The Golden Rule 3. The Mischief Rule	1. Casus Omissus 2. Noscitur a Sociis 3. Ejusdem Generis 4. Reddendo Singula Singulis 5. Words of Rank 6. In Bonam Partem 7. Ex-Visceribus Actus.	1. Legal Maxims 2. Beneficial construction 3. Strict/Liberal Construction 4. Presumptions 5. Harmonius Construction 6. Constitutional Doctrines 7. Statutes in Pari Materia.

The General Clauses Act, 1897

Aids to Interpretation : Internal Aids / External Aids

Question :- What is the meaning of Interpretation Of Statute ?

Answer :- To Interprete :-

Oxford Dictionary : To interprete means to explain the meaning of or, to understand in a particular way.

Concise Law Dictionary : The art of finding out the true sense of any form of words i.e. sense in which their author is intended to convey.

Statute :- Oxford Dictionary : A law passed by parliament or a similar body.

Concise Law Dictionary : Statute signifies an act of legislature.

So, statute is — A will of the legislature

— Act passed by legislature.
— “ Sententia Legis” means the spirit of law and intention of legislature.

— Starting point of interpretation.

Thus, The Interpretation Of Statute means explation, meaning, translation & exposition of statutes or enacted law. The function of court is to interprete ; give effect to intention.

The Object and purpose of interpretation : to ascertain the true meaning of legislature, to bring out the intention of makers.

If there are different meaning of a particular word, the most preferred or suitable meaning is to be considered.

RBI v. Peerless General Finance & Investment co. (1987) it is held that, “ A statute is best interpreted when we know why it was enacted.

There is a synonym of the word interpretation and that is construction. Though the word is synanimously used, interpretation differs from construction. ‘Construction is the means (tool) of interpretation & interpretation is end.

Purpose of interpretation of statutes

The purpose of interpretation in relation to statute is to determine the intention of the legislature which is embodied in the language used by the legislature.

Thus we can say the interpretation is the method by which the court determines the meaning of the particular legislation.

–The enacted law must be given proper and legal effect.

According to Maxwell : The object of ios is the determination of the intention of the legislature either expressly or impliedly from the language used by the legislature.

A common principle of interpretation is that every part of the statute must be construed in a harmonious way by reading every part of it together. It is not permissible to omit any part of it.

Classification of Statutes

With respect to Duration : Temporary

Permanent (Perpetual) (not ceasing)

With respect to Method : Mandatory ( Imperative/Obligatory)

Directory or permissive

With respect to extent of Operation : Territorial

Extra-territorial

With respect to Application : Public Statutes

Private Statutes

With respect to Time : Pre-Constitutional

Post-Constitutional.

With respect to Object : Codifying….Consolidating

Penal………Taxing

Amending….Repealing

Enabling……Disabling

Explanatory….Remedial.