: While not an active part of the enactment, it acts as a key to unlock the minds of the makers when words are vague.
Statutory interpretation is the process by which courts determine the true meaning and intent of a piece of legislation. Because words can be inherently ambiguous, context-dependent, or subject to changing societal norms, Justice G.P. Singh’s treatise establishes a structured hierarchy of rules and principles to ensure consistency, predictability, and justice in the legal system.
Explicitly listing specific items automatically excludes unlisted items. Strict vs. Liberal Construction
Justice G.P. Singh emphasizes that the primary object of all statutory interpretation is to ascertain the ( jus dicere, non jus dare —to declare the law, not to make it). A statute is the formal expression of the legislative will, and the function of the judiciary is to act as its faithful interpreter. principles of statutory interpretation gp singh high quality
When internal components are insufficient to resolve an ambiguity, courts look outside the document.
If there is an ambiguity or two reasonable interpretations possible, the court must adopt the interpretation that favors the subject/citizen rather than the State.
Used to exempt something from the main enacting clause or to qualify its application. : While not an active part of the
One provision should not be allowed to defeat or render another provision useless ( ut res magis valeat quam pereat ).
For the practicing lawyer, "quality" often equates to "usability." G.P. Singh’s text is engineered for efficiency.
Of the same kind. When general words follow specific words of a distinct category, the general words are construed to include only things of that same category. Liberal Construction Justice G
According to G.P. Singh, the first and most important rule is the . This principle dictates that if the words of a statute are clear, plain, and unambiguous, the courts must give effect to that meaning, regardless of the consequences.
Debates, committee reports, and statements of objects and reasons.