School: SOL Batch: 2016-21

Program: BA/BBA/B.Com LLB.

Branch: Semester: VII
1 Course Code BAL 403
2 Course Title Interpretation of statues
3 Credits 4
4 Contact 4-0-0
Hours
(L-T-P)
Course Status Compulsory
5 Course 1. To introduce the students about the importance of interpretation in
Objective
legal profession.
2. To develop the critical skills to equip the students with various
aspects of statutory interpretations.
3. To help students understand various theories of statutory
interpretation in order to impart complete justice.
4. To develop among students the skills in using the external and
internal aids of legislation while interpreting statutory provisions.

6 Course After studying this paper the students shall be able to

Outcomes
CO1: Classify various kinds of statutes.
CO2: Explain meaning of interpretation of statute.
CO3: Identify general rules of interpretation
CO4: Identify each part of statutes and will know importance of each part
CO5: Differentiate between the theories of interpretation.
7 Course
Description The term interpretation means giving meaning to government power. It has
been divided into three wings namely legislature, executive and judiciary.
Interpretation of statues is very essential as it is the sole base for analysing
intent of the statue by the legislature. It is the duty of the court to interpret
each and every word of the statue for determining legislative intent. The
course provides for various rules like literal, grammatical, mischief rule
etc. to determine the legislative intent and logical interpretation of words
that provide for better justice delivery system.

8 Outline syllabus CO Mapping

Unit 1 Introduction (CO1) (CO3) (CO1) (CO3)
A Nature and Kind of Laws: Statutory, Non-statutory, CO1
codified, un-codified and State-made; Meaning and
Definition of Statute.
B Meaning, Objects and scope of ‘interpretation’; difference CO1
between ‘interpretation’ and ‘construction’.
C Basic Sources of Statutory Interpretation- the General CO3
Clauses Act, 1897; Definition clauses in various
legislations.
Unit 2 General Rules of interpretation-I (CO2) (CO3)
A The function of the Court is to interpret the law and not to CO2
legislate; Statute must be read as a whole.
B Primary Rules: i) Literal Rule; ii) Golden Rule CO3
C Mischief Rule of construction: Heydon’s Rule. CO2, CO3
Unit 3 General Rules of interpretation-II CO2, CO3
A Rule of Ut res magis valeat quam pereat, Rule of CO2
purposive construction
B Rule of Strict Interpretation: Penal and Taxation Statutes. CO3
C Doctrine of Harmonious Construction, Ejusdem generis, CO2, CO3
Noscitur a sociis.
Unit 4 External and Internal Aids to Interpretation (CO4)

A Internal Aids to Interpretation: Title, Preamble, Definition (CO4)

section, marginal notes, illustration, explanation, proviso
etc.
B External Aids to Interpretation- I: Statement of objects of (CO4)
legislation, historical background, Legislative debates.
C External Aids to Interpretation- II: dictionaries, textbooks, (CO4)
practice- Judicial, conveyance, etc.
Unit 5 Effect of Repeal and Amendment; Interpretation of (CO4)
Constitution
A Effect of Repeal, Effect of amendments to statute (CO4)

B Presumptions regarding jurisdiction (CO4)

C Interpretation of the Constitution (CO4)

Mode of Theory
examination
Weightage CA MTE ETE
Distribution 30% 20% 50%
 Text book/s* 1. Prof. T. Bhattacharyya “The Interpretation of
Statutes”, Central Law Agency.

Other 1. Maxwell: Interpretation of Statutes, Butterworths

References
Publications.
2. Crawford: Interpretation of Statutes, Universal
Publishers.
3. Chatterjee: Interpretation of Statutes.
4. G.P. Singh: Principles of Statutory Interpretation,
Wadhwa and Company.
5. Cross, Statutory Interpretation
6. A.B. Kafaltilya “Interpretation of Statutes”,
Universal Law Publishing Co.,Delhi
7. Vepa P. Sarathi: Interpretation of Statutes, Eastern
Book Co.

POs PO1 PO2 PO3 PO4 PO5 PO6

COs
CO1 3 2 2 1 2 2
CO2 3 3 2 2 1 2
CO3 3 2 3 2 2 2
CO4 2 1 3 3 2 2
CO5 3 2 3 1 2 2