Evolving from the mischief rule, the purposive approach has gained immense traction in modern jurisprudence, a shift thoroughly documented in later editions of the book. This rule mandates that courts look at the purpose, object, and policy underlying the statute to choose the interpretation that best fulfills the legislative intent. Internal Aids to Construction
The book provides a systematic analysis of how laws should be read and applied. LexisNexis Purposive Shift
An integral part of Justice G.P. Singh's work involves the application of the . This act serves as a statutory dictionary for Indian law. It provides standard definitions for common terms used across legislation (such as "person," "month," "year," "oath," and "immovable property") and establishes standard rules for the interpretation and repeal of statutes, preventing the need for the legislature to redefine basic terms in every single new law. Why the Treatise Remains Invaluable principles of statutory interpretation gp singh
Where general words follow specific words of a distinct class or category, the general words are construed to include only things of the same general nature as those specifically enumerated.
The text is organized into chapters that guide the reader from basic concepts to specialized rules. Evolving from the mischief rule, the purposive approach
A particularly valuable feature of the book is its appendix containing the with notes. The General Clauses Act serves as a "definition and interpretation act" for all central statutes, providing standard rules for the construction of every law passed by the Indian Parliament. By including this alongside the commentary, Singh creates a complete reference point. He explains how the General Clauses Act interacts with specific statutes, dealing with matters of repeal, commencement, power to appoint, and the meaning of key terms (e.g., “person,” “month,” “sex”).
Determining whether a statutory provision is obligatory or merely suggestive depends on legislative intent, context, and the object of the law. Structure of the Text LexisNexis Purposive Shift An integral part of Justice G
The "Plain Meaning Rule" states that if the words of a statute are clear and unambiguous, they must be given their natural meaning regardless of consequences.
When a literal interpretation leads to manifest absurdity, injustice, hardship, or anomaly that the legislature could not possibly have intended, the Golden Rule is invoked.