Osmania University · Faculty of Law
Interpretation of Statutes · May/June 2017
May/June 2017 · Interpretation of Statutes · Semester 4
FACULTY OF LAW
LL.B. (3 YDC) II - Year IV - Semester Examination, May / June 2017
Subject: LAW
PAPER - III: INTERPRETATION OF STATUTES
Code: 580 | Time: 3 Hours | Max. Marks: 80
PART - A (5 x 6 = 30 Marks) — Answer any FIVE of the following:
1. Definition of statute.
2. Golden Rule.
3. Non obstante clause.
4. Literal rule.
5. Legislative debates.
6. Penal Statutes.
7. Interpretation clause.
8. Interpretation of Subordinate Legislation.
PART - B (2 x 15 = 30 Marks) — Answer any TWO of the following:
9. Vegetables are exempted from the levy of sales tax under the Sales Tax Act. A vegetable vendor is
selling betel leaves. He contends that betel leaves fall within the scope of 'Vegetables'.
10. What is meant by 'Strict Construction of Penal Statutes'?
11. What is Golden rule? Examine its importance in interpreting statutes.
12. Examine goldenness of golden rule.
PART - C (2 x 10 = 20 Marks) — Answer any TWO of the following:
13. A law was enacted by the legislature in the year 2009. Mr. 'X' was challenged for committing an
offence punishable under the said Act in the year 2012. When the trial against 'X' is pending, an Act
of 2009 is repealed in the year 2013. What is the effect on the trial against 'X'? Discuss.
14. A law prohibiting public smoking which came into force on 1 -4-2015, which made the Act
punishable as an offence. X was prosecuted on public smoking on 31 -3-2015 at 11 p.m. Under the
law prohibiting public smoking which came into force on 1 -4-2013. The validity of the prosecution
was challenged. Discuss.
15. If there is inconsistency between a provision of substantive law and a provision of procedural
law, which shall prevail over the other? Discuss.