Statutory interpretation

What are the three rules of interpretation?

The narrow application of the Golden Rule allows:

• Judges more flexibility

• Judges to interpret whatever they like

• A more strict application

• Criminals to get away with it

One advantage of the mischief rule is :

• looks for the wrongdoing

• looks for the positive purpose

• allowing judges to be incorrect

• allows less freedom

Explain the function of the purposive approach

list THREE disadvantages of the golden rule

Under the wider application the word has:

• ambiguous meaning

• one meaning only

• two possible meanings

• no meaning at all

In the case of London and Northeastern Railway Co. v Berriman (1946) the issue being interpreted under literal rule was:

• working

• relaying

• relaying and repairing

• repairing only

One DISADVANTAGE of the purposive approach is:

• Judges can lose interest in interpretation

• Saves parliament's time

•   Can lead to judicial law making if it is too widely applied

• Ridiculous

One advantage of the purposive approach is that it:

• Restores order in court

• Protects the innocent

• Gives judges less discretion

• Gives judges more discretion

A judge must always begin interpreting with the