Singh details how headers, titles, preambles, and marginal notes serve as tools to decipher intent.
The express mention of one thing implies the exclusion of others.
Headings prefixed to a section or a group of sections can be referred to, though marginal notes carry less weight as they are rarely debated in the legislature.
This is the starting point for any judicial inquiry. The cardinal rule of construction is to read the statute literally, giving the words their ordinary, natural, and grammatical meaning. Justice G.P. Singh quotes the Golden Rule by stating, “the words of a statue must prima facie be given their ordinary meaning” (Nokes v. Doncaster Amalgamated Collieries Ltd.). The intention of the legislature is first and foremost to be found in the language used by the legislature itself. principles of statutory interpretation gp singh
Penal and criminal laws must be interpreted strictly. If there is a reasonable ambiguity, the benefit of the doubt must be given to the accused. Courts cannot create an offense by implication.
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The explicit mention of one thing implies the exclusion of others. 6. Strict vs. Liberal Construction Singh details how headers, titles, preambles, and marginal
The book is updated periodically by eminent legal editors to incorporate the latest landmarks of the Supreme Court, ensuring it remains highly relevant in an era dominated by rapid regulatory changes, digital laws, and evolving corporate frameworks. Conclusion
The fundamental objective of statutory interpretation, as emphasized by G.P. Singh, is to ascertain the . Singh posits that while "legislative intent" is sometimes viewed as a legal fiction, it remains the "true intention of the Legislature—the mens or sententia legis " that courts must act upon. Key tenets of this philosophy include: Statute Interpretation : Overview and Analysis - iPleaders
: The literal rule, also known as the plain meaning rule, requires that the words of a statute be given their ordinary and literal meaning. This approach emphasizes the importance of the plain language of the statute, without resorting to external aids or interpretations. This is the starting point for any judicial inquiry
Debates, reports, and previous versions of the bill.
G.P. Singh establishes that the fundamental goal of interpretation is to determine the The Legislature is the sovereign law-making body, and the Court’s duty is to effectuate that intent, not to create new law.
Justice G.P. Singh’s Principles of Statutory Interpretation