Courts must lean toward an interpretation that makes the statute workable and valid, rather than one that renders it redundant, useless, or unconstitutional. 6. The Legacy of G.P. Singh’s Work
The Golden Rule acts as a bridge between the literal and purposeful approaches. When a literal interpretation leads to absurdity, inconsistency, or injustice, the court can modify the grammatical or ordinary sense of the word, but only to the extent necessary to avoid that absurdity. C. The Mischief Rule (Purposive Construction)
The express mention of one thing implies the exclusion of another.
The meaning of an unclear word can be gathered from the words surrounding it. Context colors the meaning. principles of statutory interpretation gp singh
Statutes are presumed to be prospective unless they specifically state otherwise (especially those affecting substantive rights).
A word is known by the company it keeps. The meaning of an ambiguous word can be judged by the words surrounding it.
Singh meticulously categorizes and explains the traditional "rules" used by courts: Literal Rule Courts must lean toward an interpretation that makes
by Justice G.P. Singh is widely considered the most authoritative and comprehensive legal text on the subject in India. Often referred to as a "classic" in Indian legal literature, it is a primary reference for the Supreme Court and High Courts when determining the true meaning of legislative enactments. Core Principles and Objectives
Singh notes that literalism should not be followed if it leads to an absurdity that the legislature could not have possibly intended. III. The Golden and Mischief Rules
The central theme of Singh's work is that interpretation is the process of ascertaining the true meaning of the words used by the law-maker. Mens or Sententia Legis Singh’s Work The Golden Rule acts as a
"Render each to each." This is a rule of grammatical interpretation used when a list of words or phrases has a common suffix or prefix. It involves distributing the words so that they apply to the appropriate references.
GP Singh revolutionized Indian interpretation by legitimizing the use of external aids, provided they are used cautiously: