EJUSDEM

GENERIS
MEANING

CONDITIONS TO APPLY

EXCEPTION TO THE RULE

 Ejusdem Generis
Meaning:-
 It means same kind or nature.
 When a law lists classes of person or things, this concept is
used to clarify such list.

Example :- If a law refers to motorcycles, trucks, bus,

automobiles and other motor powered vehicles, a court might use
ejusdem generis to hold that such vehicles would not include
airplanes, because the list included only land-based transportation.
 Ejusdem Generis
Case Laws :- Circuit city stores Inc. vs. Adams
The Supreme Court defined ejusdem generis as a situation
in which "general words follow specific words in a statutory
enumeration, the general words are construed to embrace only
objects similar in nature to those objects enumerated by the
preceding specific words.
 Ejusdem Generis
Case Laws :- N. & W. Railway vs. Train Dispatchers
Court held that ejusdem generis does not apply “when the
whole context dictates a different conclusion”.
 Ejusdem Generis
Conditions to apply Ejusdem generis :- In order to attract this
doctrine it is necessary that :-
1. The Statute contains an enumeration of specific words
which constitute a class.
2. The said class is not exhausted by the enumeration.
3. The general words follow the specific words.
4. The legislative intention is not clearly manifest in favour
broader meaning to the general words.
 Ejusdem Generis
Exceptions to the rule of Ejusdem generis :-
1. If the preceding term is general, the rule of Ejusdem
generis will not apply.
2. When the particular and specific words exhaust the whole
genus, there is nothing ejusdem generis left.
3. The general term shall not be restricted in meaning by the
specific words.