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CMA Foundation · Fundamentals of Business Laws and Business Communication · Legal Methods and Court System in India

The Latin maxim 'ejusdem generis' is applied by courts when a statute lists specific items followed by general words. What does the maxim mean in effect?

Ejusdem generis means 'of the same kind'. When specific items are followed by general words, the general words are limited to things of the same class as the listed items, so they do not stretch to unrelated things.

  1. AGeneral words take their meaning from the specific items listed and cover only things of the same kindCorrect
  2. BGeneral words override the specific items and cover every possible thing
  3. CThe statute must be read as a whole so that no two provisions conflict
  4. DThe statute applies only to the express items and nothing else may ever be implied by the court

Explanation

Ejusdem generis means 'of the same kind'. If a law lists 'cars, buses, trucks and other vehicles', the general words 'other vehicles' are limited to things similar to the listed motor vehicles, not extended to aircraft. Option C describes harmonious construction, not this maxim.

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