Skip to content

CA Intermediate · Corporate and Other Laws · Interpretation of Statutes

A statute lists 'cars, buses, trucks, tempo and other motor-driven conveyances' as vehicles requiring registration. Ravi owns a bullock cart and argues that it needs no registration. Applying the rule of ejusdem generis to the words 'other motor-driven conveyances', what is the correct position?

The bullock cart is not covered. Under ejusdem generis, general words following a list of specific items are limited to things of the same kind. Since all the listed items are motor-driven, 'other motor-driven conveyances' cannot extend to an animal-drawn cart.

  1. AThe bullock cart is covered because 'conveyances' is a general word
  2. BThe bullock cart is not covered because the general words take their colour from the preceding specific words, all being motor-drivenCorrect
  3. CThe bullock cart is covered because a penal statute is always read widely
  4. DThe bullock cart is not covered only because Ravi is a farmer

Explanation

Ejusdem generis limits general words that follow a list of specific items to things of the same kind (genus). Cars, buses, trucks and tempos are motor-driven, so the general words cover only similar motor-driven conveyances and a bullock cart is excluded. The status of the owner is irrelevant.

Did you get it right without looking?

One question tells you little. A timed set on Interpretation of Statutes shows your real accuracy, how long you take and where you lose marks.

Practise Interpretation of StatutesFree diagnostic mock

More Interpretation of Statutes questions