Statutory Interpretation: Extrinsic Aids

Question 1

What are the different types of extrinsic aids?

Answer 1

Dictionary
Previous Acts of Parliament
Green & White Papers
Law Commission reports
Explanatory Notes
Hansard

Question 2

What is a dictionary?

Answer 2

Oxford English Dictionary can be used to clear up meaning of word
Used in Cheeseman v DPP

Question 3

What are previous acts of Parliament?

Answer 3

Judge can look at previous acts related to act
E.g., Larceny and Theft Act

Question 4

What are green and white papers?

Answer 4

Official gov docs
Contain proposals put forward by Parliament for Act
May indicate overall purpose or aim of act

Question 5

What are law commission reports?

Answer 5

Investigates areas of law and make reccommendations for reform, if implemented, result in new act

Question 6

What are explanatory notes?

Answer 6

Notes are pubished and updated on bills when passing through Parliament by gov depts
Purpose is to summarise main provision of act and provide examples on complicated points

Question 7

What is Hansard?

Answer 7

Official report of what was said in Parliament when Act was debated
Allowed as aid since Pepper v Hart