The Legal System of England and Wales IV: Statutory Interpretation

A comprehensive overview of statutory interpretation—the methods courts use to determine and apply the meaning of written law when the text is unclear or leads to problematic results. Initially, the Literal Rule mandates adhering strictly to the plain meaning of words, despite potential absurd outcomes, while the Golden Rule offers a remedy by allowing modification of the literal meaning to avoid such absurdity. The Mischief Rule encourages judges to consider the underlying problem the legislation was created to address, focusing on the law's original intent, which is a key component of the broader Purposive Approach. Additionally, the texts detail essential Aids to Statutory Interpretation, divided into intrinsic (from within the statute) and extrinsic (external resources like parliamentary records), alongside various legal presumptions that guide interpretation, such as the presumption against altering common law or binding the Crown. Finally, the sources acknowledge specific considerations for legislation made by Senedd Cymru, where interpretation must account for devolved powers and the equal legal standing of the Welsh language.