It is not merely a textbook but a definitive guide cited frequently by the Supreme Court of India and various High Courts to resolve ambiguities in legal text. dokumen.pub 1. The Core Philosophy: "Intention of the Legislature"
Justice Singh's work is often cited by courts to resolve specific interpretative problems. In a judgment of the Allahabad High Court, for instance, the court quoted the book's analysis of how to treat a definition clause, explaining that "when a word has been defined in the interpretation clause, prima facie that definition governs whenever that word is used in the body of the statute".
When the internal landscape is insufficient, the court may venture outward: principles of statutory interpretation gp singh
[Statutory Language Analysis] │ Is text clear & plain? ├── Yes ──> [Literal Rule] (Apply plain meaning) └── No ───> [Golden Rule] (Modify to avoid absurdity) └──> [Mischief Rule / Purposive Approach] (Examine target intent) 1. The Literal Rule (Plain Meaning Rule)
G.P. Singh emphasizes that a judge must look both inside and outside the document: It is not merely a textbook but a
According to GP Singh, the primary goal of statutory interpretation is to ascertain the or the "will of the Parliament" as expressed in the statutes. The law is meant to be interpreted in a way that gives effect to the purpose behind its enactment.
While possessing persuasive value, Singh cautions that they must be used carefully, ensuring that the underlying foreign statutory framework aligns with domestic law. Subsidiary Rules and Maxims In a judgment of the Allahabad High Court,
The Preamble, headings, marginal notes, illustrations, and definitions within the Act itself.
Words must be understood in their ordinary, natural, and grammatical sense.
The primary goal of statutory interpretation is to ascertain the legislative intent behind a statute. This involves analyzing the language, structure, and context of the statute to determine its meaning and scope. GP Singh's principles of statutory interpretation provide a framework for interpreting statutes in a systematic and coherent manner.
Courts always presume that the legislature did not intend to violate the Constitution. An interpretation that keeps a statute constitutionally valid will always be preferred over one that invalidates it.
