Statutory interpretation Law making Flashcards
Definition of statutory interpretation
When a judge gives meaning to words of an act of parliament when delivering their judgement in court.
Literal rule definition
Ordinary and plain reasoning.
City of London court
‘If words of act are clear you must follow them no matter if they result in an absurdity.’
Worker killed whilst doing maintenance. Courts took words ‘relaying’ and ‘repairing’ literally so widows claim failed.
Beriman
Cheeseman
D indecent exposure police caught him. Passengers implied literal and police weren’t seen as trespassers so not liable.
Advantages of literal rule
Parliament supremacy
Certainty as results are predictable
Decisions made quickly
Encourages parliament to amend and reform laws.
Disadvantages of literal rule
Lead to absurd results
Unfair harsh results
Lawyers think easily predict outcome however cant.
Old fashioned and outdated
Lead to absurd results case
Chappel
Unfair harsh results case
Beriman
Lawyers think easy to predict case
Allen
Old fashioned and outdated case
Hart
Golden rule definition
Starts with a literal approach and if produces absurd result allowed to be flexible.
Narrow golden rule
Chose best interpretation of ambiguous words.
Wide golden rule
Words only one meaning but can modify if ambiguous.
Sigsworth
Golden rule was used to stop murderer inheriting victim’s inheritance.