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CS Executive · Jurisprudence, Interpretation and General Laws · Interpretation of Statutes

A statute contains a long title stating that it is an Act 'to regulate the sale of adulterated food'. A section in the body uses the word 'article' without defining it. How is the long title best used by a court?

The long title is an internal aid that helps a court understand the general scope and purpose of the Act. It can guide the reading of an ambiguous word like 'article', but it cannot override clear words in the body of the statute.

  1. AAs an internal aid to understand the general scope and purpose of the Act, and so to read 'article' in the context of foodCorrect
  2. BAs an operative part that overrides any clear words of the section
  3. CAs an external aid that may be used only if the Act is repealed
  4. DAs having no value whatsoever in interpretation

Explanation

The long title is part of the statute and is an internal aid. It can be consulted to understand the general scope and purpose of the Act, particularly where the words in the body are ambiguous. It cannot override clear enacting words, so option B is wrong.

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