Aids to interpretation

Question 1

What are intrinsic aids?

Answer 1

These are found inside the act of parliament that is trying to be interpreted.

Question 2

What are extrinsic aids?

Answer 2

These are found outside the act of parliament they are trying to interpret.

Question 3

Examples of intrinsic aids?

Answer 3

Preamble - Preliminary statement which acts as an introduction to the act of parliament to explain its purpose

Marginal notes - Short annotations appearing beside each section of the act to add detail.

Punctuation - Different punctuation changes the meaning of sentences so this tells us they have been used purposefully by draftsmen.

Question 4

Examples of extrinsic aids?

Answer 4

Other similar acts or cases - These can be used as a guide if they have been seen previously to help make decisions.

Dictionary - Judges can research the definition of keywords to find out how they should be applied.

Green/White papers - These pre-legislative documents help judge understand the aim of parliament when they introduced the act.