The Rules of Statutory Interpretation

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The Rules of Statutory Interpretation

The rules are:

  1. Literal Rule

    Follow the literal dictionary meaning

    (Whiteley v Chapple)

  2. Golden Rule

    Disregard the literal rule if the result is absurd

    (Sigsworth)

  3. Mischief Rule

    Give ambiguously worded acts their intended interpretation and hence purpose

    (Corkery v Carpenter)

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