: Courts can slightly depart from the literal meaning to modify the language, ensuring the legislative intent is salvaged without producing a ludicrous result. Literal rule Definition | Legal Glossary - LexisNexis
Laws designed to provide a remedy or benefit (such as labor or welfare legislation) are interpreted liberally to achieve their social objective and protect the rights of the beneficiaries. The General Clauses Act, 1897
According to G.P. Singh, the primary object of interpreting any statute is to ascertain the ( voluntas legatorum ). principles of statutory interpretation gp singh
Courts look at the historical context and the gap (mischief) that the legislature intended to cure. By identifying the purpose of the Act, judges can interpret ambiguous language in a way that effectively suppresses the mischief and advances the remedy. Harmonious Construction and Internal Aids
Justice G.P. Singh's Principles of Statutory Interpretation is a definitive Indian legal text detailing methods for determining legislative intent, including the literal, golden, and mischief rules. It provides comprehensive guidance on using internal and external aids for interpreting statutes, making it essential for academic and practical legal application. Further details can be found on : Courts can slightly depart from the literal
The continuous evolution of law requires a dynamic yet principled approach to interpretation. Justice G.P. Singh's Principles of Statutory Interpretation documents the Indian judiciary's journey from strict, historical literalism to a more modern, holistic, and purposive approach. By outlining rigid constraints alongside necessary judicial flexibility, the book ensures that the law remains a robust, adaptable tool for justice without descending into judicial overreach.
Singh begins with the bedrock: The words of a statute must first be understood in their natural, ordinary, grammatical meaning. He quotes the famous maxim: "A verbis legis non est recedendum" (From the words of the law, there must be no departure). Singh, the primary object of interpreting any statute
The book clarifies several Latin maxims that act as linguistic rules of thumb for judges:
Headings prefixed to sections can be referred to as a key to find the meaning of ambiguous words, though marginal notes have limited value unless enacted directly by the legislature.
This is particularly evident in the book’s analysis of: