Statutory interpretation - Rules of Language

Question 1

Ejusdem Generis

Answer 1

“Things of the same kind”

Specific words + general words. General words limited to specific words

Question 2

Powell Kempton park racecourse co

Answer 2

The Betting Act 1853 made it an offence to keep a “house, office, room or other place” for betting. In this case the betting had happened in the open air and the court had to decided if “open air” qualified as an “other place”. The court held it did not as it only applied to other indoor places.

Question 3

Expressio unius est exclusion alterius

Answer 3

“The express mention of one thing excludes the other”

Specific words, not followed by general words. Act applies only to specific.

Question 4

Inhabitants of Sedgley

Answer 4

Rates were charged on “Land, titles and coal mines” therefore no other mines. The express mention of the word “coal” made it clear that no other mines i.e Tin mines would be included in the statute.

Question 5

Noscitur a sociis

Answer 5

“interpreted in context”

Involves looking at other sections of the same Act.

Question 6

Inland revenue commissioner v Frere

Answer 6

A section of the Act referred to “interest, annuities and other annual interest” therefore suggesting the first mention of interest was also annual hence the word “other”. This illustrates that the meaning of a word an become clear when it is looked at in context i.e within a sentence.