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

Which of the following best describes the main purpose of interpretation of statutes?

The main purpose of interpretation is to ascertain the true intention of the legislature as expressed in the words of the enactment. Courts explain and apply the language used; they do not substitute their own preferred words or rewrite the law.

  1. ATo ascertain the true intention of the legislature as expressed in the words of the enactmentCorrect
  2. BTo replace the words of the statute with those the court considers fairer
  3. CTo enable the executive to amend the statute without Parliament
  4. DTo determine the date on which the statute was first drafted

Explanation

Interpretation is the process of finding the meaning of the words used by the legislature so as to discover its intention. Courts do not rewrite statutes to suit their own idea of fairness, so the option about replacing words is wrong.

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