Interpretation of Statutes and Principle of Legislation
Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya · LL.B. Semester 7 · LAIGTD1N
Unit I — Introduction to Interpretation and Legal Texts
Statute: Meaning and Nature · Classification of Statutes - Declaratory Statutes, Codifying Statutes, Consolidating Statutes, Remedial Statutes and Enabling Statutes · Meaning, Purpose and Kinds of Interpretation · Difference between “Interpretation” and “Construction” · The Process of Law Making · Rules of Construction under General Clauses Act, 1897: An overview of important definitions and provisions
Unit II — General Theories and Rules of Interpretation
The Function of the Court is to interpret the law and not to legislate (Judicial Activism vis-a-vis Judicial overreach) · Statute must be read as a whole in its context · Literal Rule of Interpretation · Golden Rule of Interpretation · Mischief Rule of Interpretation · Construction Ut res magis valeat quam pereat · Rule of Purposive Construction · Rule of Strict Interpretation (Penal & Tax Statutes) · Rule of Harmonious Construction · Principles of Ejusdem Generis and Noscitur a sociis
- Rules of interpretation of Statutes — Literal, Mischief and Golden rule of interpretation
- Presumptions in Statutory interpretation — Statutes are valid, Statutes are territorial in operation, Presumption as to jurisdiction, Presumption against what is inconvenient or absurd, Presumption against intending injustice, Presumption against impairing obligations or permitting advantage from one's own wrong
Unit III — Internal and External Aids to Interpretation
Internal Aids: Title, Preamble, Marginal Notes, Definition/Interpretation Clauses, Provisos, Illustrations, Explanations, Schedules, Punctuation · External Aids: Parliamentary History, Reports of Committees, Historical Setting, Dictionaries, International Conventions, Foreign Decisions · Contemporary Aid: Constitutional Morality
Unit IV — Constitutional Interpretation
Importance of Constituent Assembly Debates and Preamble · Legislative Intention: Use of Statement of Objects and Reasons, Debates, and Committee Reports · Constitutional Doctrines: · Doctrine of Pith and Substance · Doctrine of Colourable Legislation · Doctrine of Eclipse · Doctrine of Severability · Doctrine of Prospective Overruling · Doctrine of Repugnancy · Ancillary and Residuary Powers · Harmonious Construction of Constitutional Provisions
Unit V — Operation and Repeals of Statutes
Commencement - Prospective and retrospective operation of the statute · Express or implied Repeal · Consequences of Repeal
Unit VI — Case Law Analysis
A. Judicial Role and Limits · P. Ramachandra Rao v. State of Karnataka (2002) 4 SCC 578 · Padma Sundara Rao v. State of Tamil Nadu (2002) 3 SCC 533 · B. Literal and Golden Rule · Tej Kiran Jain v. N. Sanjiva Reddy (1970) 2 SCC 272 · Lee v. Knapp (1967) 2 QB 442 · C. Mischief Rule and Purposive Construction · Heydon’s Case (1584) · RMDC v. Union of India , AIR 1957 SC 628 · Gurbaksh Singh Sibbia v. State of Punjab (1980) 2 SCC 565 · D. Strict and Harmonious Construction · George Banerji v. Emperor (1917) · Sri Venkataramana Devaru v. State of Mysore , AIR 1958 SC 255 · E. Maxims and Doctrines · Calcutta Municipal Corporation v. East India Hotels Ltd. , AIR 1996 SC 419 · Ashbury Railway Carriage & Iron Co. v. Riche (1875) LR 7 HL 653 · F. Rule of Purposive Construction · Rev. Stainislaus v. State of M.P., AIR 1977 SC 108 · S.R. Chaudhuri v. State of Punjab (2001) 7 SCC 126 · G. Principles of Ejusdem Generis and Noscitur a sociis · Calcutta Municipal Corporation v. East India Hotels Ltd., AIR 1996 SC 419 · M/s Siddeshawari Cotton Mills Pvt. Ltd. v. U.O.I., A.I.R. 1989 S.C. 1029 · Ashbury Railway Carriage & Iron Co. v. Riche (1875) LR 7 HL 653 · H. Intrinsic Aid: · Biswambhar Singh v. State of Orissa, AIR 1954 SC 139: 1954 SCR 842 · M/s. Hiralal Rattanlal v. State of U.P. (1973) 1 SCC 216 · I. Extrinsic Aid: · Shashikant Laxman Kale v. Union of India, AIR 1990 SC 2114: (1990) SCC 366 · Vishaka & Ors. v. State of Rajasthan & Ors., AIR 1997 SC 3011 · Note: Faculty May include contemporary case for live update