Statutory Interpretation Quiz

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson
Download our mobile app to listen on the go
Get App

Questions and Answers

What is the primary duty of the court when interpreting the words used in legislation?

  • To assume ambiguity and doubt in the words of the statute
  • To interpret the words according to their ordinary grammatical meaning (correct)
  • To adopt a hypothetical construction to fulfill the supposed intention of the legislature
  • To seek clarification from the legislature regarding the meaning of the words

What does the Latin maxim 'absoluta sententia expositore non indiget' mean?

  • The sentence or preposition requires an expositor for clarity
  • An absolute sentence or preposition needs not an expositor (correct)
  • The sentence or preposition is always ambiguous
  • The sentence or preposition has multiple meanings

What is the rule known as when the words of a statute are clear and unambiguous?

  • Rule of manifest purpose
  • Rule of literal construction (correct)
  • Rule of hypothetical interpretation
  • Rule of ambiguous exposition

When may a wider interpretation be adopted over a narrower one in statutory interpretation?

<p>When the narrower interpretation fails to achieve the manifest purpose of the legislation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of interpretation in relation to statute law?

<p>It helps in understanding the true sense of words used in legislation. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which agency is concerned with the interpretation of statutes?

<p>A separate agency unrelated to the process of statute making (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between 'legal' and 'doctrinal' interpretation?

<p>Legal interpretation binds the judge to place a certain interpretation, while doctrinal interpretation goes beyond the words to discover the intention of the statute. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is Jolowicz's classification of 'legal' interpretation?

<p>When there is an actual rule of law which binds the Judge to place a certain interpretation (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does 'verbal construction' refer to in the context of statutory interpretation?

<p>Expressing the intention of the statute without ambiguity (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of grammatical interpretation in statutory interpretation?

<p>Emphasis on 'what the law says' based on the words and expressions used in a statute (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When is logical interpretation important in statutory interpretation?

<p>Ascertaining what the law means based on inferred intentions (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What should the court refrain from doing in statutory interpretation according to the text?

<p>Adding to or modifying any word or phrase used in an enactment (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Primary Duty of the Court

To ascertain the intention of the legislature.

Absoluta Sententia Expositore Non Indiget

When a statute's words are clear, they don't need interpretation.

Literal Rule

If a statute's words are clear, apply their literal meaning.

Wider Interpretation

When the literal meaning leads to an absurd or unjust outcome.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Significance of Interpretation

Determining the meaning and application of legislation.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Judiciary

The agency concerned with statutory interpretation.

Signup and view all the flashcards

"Legal" Interpretation

Interpretation in relation to other laws and the legal system.

Signup and view all the flashcards

"Doctrinal" Interpretation

Interpretation based on the principles and policies underlying a statute.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Jolowicz's Classification

Linguistic, logical, and systematic.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Verbal Construction

Interpreting the words and phrases in a statute.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Grammatical Interpretation

Focuses on the grammatical meaning, syntax, and punctuation.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Logical Interpretation

To determine the intended meaning when the literal meaning is absurd or unjust.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

Statutory Interpretation

  • The primary duty of the court when interpreting the words used in legislation is to determine the intention of the legislature.

Latin Maxim

  • The Latin maxim 'absoluta sententia expositore non indiget' means "an absolute judgment needs no expositor," implying that when the words of a statute are clear and unambiguous, they do not require interpretation.

Clear and Unambiguous Statutes

  • When the words of a statute are clear and unambiguous, the rule is known as the "literal rule."

Wider Interpretation

  • A wider interpretation may be adopted over a narrower one when the literal meaning of the words would lead to an absurd or unjust result.

Significance of Interpretation

  • Interpretation plays a crucial role in statute law as it helps to determine the meaning and application of legislation.

Agency Involved

  • The judiciary is the agency concerned with the interpretation of statutes.

Types of Interpretation

  • "Legal" interpretation refers to the interpretation of a statute in relation to other laws and the legal system as a whole.
  • "Doctrinal" interpretation focuses on the principles and policies underlying a statute.

Jolowicz's Classification

  • Jolowicz's classification of 'legal' interpretation includes three categories: linguistic, logical, and systematic.

Verbal Construction

  • Verbal construction refers to the process of interpreting the words and phrases used in a statute.

Grammatical Interpretation

  • The focus of grammatical interpretation is on the grammatical meaning of the words used in a statute, including their syntax and punctuation.

Logical Interpretation

  • Logical interpretation is important when the literal meaning of the words would lead to an absurd or unjust result, and the court must use logical reasoning to determine the intended meaning.

Court's Refrain

  • The court should refrain from adding words to a statute or altering its wording to fit the court's perception of the intended meaning.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

More Like This

Legal Interpretation Principles
40 questions
Statutory Interpretation Rules
5 questions
Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Browser