Osmania University · Faculty of Law
Interpretation of Statutes · April/May 2022
April/May 2022 · Interpretation of Statutes · Semester 4
FACULTY OF LAW
LL.B. (3 YDC) / LL.B. (3 YDC) (Honours) II - Year IV - Semester Examination, April / May 2022
Subject: LAW
PAPER - III: INTERPRETATION OF STATUTES
Code: D-12522 | Time: 3 Hours | Max. Marks: 80
PART - A (5 x 6 = 30 Marks) — Answer any FIVE of the following:
1. Meaning of Statutes.
2. Remedial Statutes.
3. External aid.
4. Government of Statute.
5. Literal Rule of Interpretation.
6. Temporary Statute.
7. Effect of Repeal.
8. Legislative debates.
PART - B (2 x 15 = 30 Marks) — Answer any TWO of the following:
9. Discuss in detail the internal aids of interpretation with the help of decided cases.
10. State the meaning, object and scope of 'interpretation' and 'construction'.
11. Explain the 'Rule of Ejusdem Generis' with the help of landmark judgments.
12. Literal or Grammatical Rule is said to be the safest rule of interpretation. Clarify with the help of
decided cases.
PART - C (2 x 10 = 20 Marks) — Answer any TWO of the following:
13. Explain the use of "decent, social, political and economic changes and scientific inventions" as
an aid of interpretation.
14. "A statute is not passed in a vacuum but in a framework of circumstances so as to give a remedy
for a known state of affairs. To arrive at its meaning one should know the circumstances with
reference to which the words were used and what was the object appearing from those
circumstances which the punishment has in view." Make a critical appraisal of the above in the light
of Heydon's rule as applied to the interpretation of statutes.
15. The term 'soliciting in a street' is defined under the Street Offences Act. However the problem
arises as to whether a prostitute who attracted the attention of a passer -by from the balconies, by
the expression 'soliciting in a street'. In such a case, what type of interpretation is preferable?
Discuss.
16. Bring out the distinction between penal and remedial statute and the rule of interpretation
applicable to them; discuss the current judicial trend in the interpretation of penal statutes.