SVKM’s NarseeMonjee Institute of Management Studies

Name of School – Kirit P. Mehta School of Law

Program: B.A., LL.B.(Hons) – 8101 &B.B.A., LL.B. (Hons.)- Semester: VI

8102
Module: Interpretation of Statutes Module Code:
Teaching Scheme Evaluation Scheme
Lecture Practical Tutori Term End
Internal
(Hours (Hours al Credit Examinations (TEE)
Continuous
per per (Hours (Marks- 50
Assessment (ICA)
week) week) per in Question Paper)
(Marks - 50)
week)
4 0 0 4 Marks Scaled to50 Marks Scaled to 50
Pre-requisite: Basic Knowledge of Constitutional Law
Objectives:
1. To make students understand the need for Statutory Interpretation.
2. To familiarize the students with various theories of interpretation and when they
can be applied
3. To be able to identify various kinds of Statutes and also understand the Intention
of the Legislator
4. To introduce the students to rules of Interpretation under International Law
Outcomes:
1. To understand the need for judicial interpretation of a statute or delegated
legislations (PLO 3b)
2. To understand and differentiate between various types of statutes, the aids of
interpretation and the rules of statutory interpretation. (PLO 1a)
3. To discern the important principles of constitutional interpretation (PLO 2b)
4. To attempt the various ways of interpreting a statute (PLO 1 a)
5. To make a comparative study of case laws with international statutes which are Pari
materia with Indian laws and judicial opinions. (PLO 3b)
Detailed Syllabus: (per session plan)
Unit Description: Duration
(hrs)
1. Theory of Law 2 Hrs.
i) What is Law
ii) How is it Made – (Legislature, Executive and Judiciary)
iii) Function of Law
iv) Theories of Justice- Rawls
Reference Readings:
1. Lon L. Fuller, The Case of the Speluncean Explorers, 62 (4),
Harvard Law Review (February 1949)
2. Rawls, John. A Theory of Justice. Harvard University Press,
1999. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctvkjb25m.
 SVKM’s NarseeMonjee Institute of Management Studies
Name of School – Kirit P. Mehta School of Law
2. Need for Interpretation 2 Hrs.
i) What is Interpretation
ii) Purpose of Interpretation
iii) When to interpret
Reference Readings:
● Chapter 1, Background Of Interpretation Of
Statute,VSDatey, “Interpretation of
Statutes,Taxmann,September 2019 edition
Case Laws:
● Gulf Goans Hotels Co. v. Union of India, [(2014) 10 SCC 673]
● MsGitha Hariharan and another v. Reserve Bank of India and another,
(AIR 1999, 2SCC 228)
 SVKM’s NarseeMonjee Institute of Management Studies
Name of School – Kirit P. Mehta School of Law
● D.M., Aravali Golf Club v. Chander Hass, 2007 (14) SCALE 1

3. Process of Interpretation 3 Hrs.

● Basic Principles
i) Intention Of Legislature
ii) Ex Visceribus Actus
iii) Ut Res Magis Valeat QauamPereat
Reference Readings:
• Chapter 2, Basic Rules Of Interpretation Of Statute,
V.S. Datey, “Interpretation of Statutes, Taxmann,
September 2019 edition
Case Laws:
● Badhsahv.Urmila Badshah Godse, [(2014) 1 SCC 188]
● Padma Sundara Rao v. State of Tamil Nadu (2002) 3 SCC 533
● Avtar Singh v. State of Punjab, AIR 1955 SC 1107
4. Rules of Statutory Interpretation 2 Hrs.
Literal Rule
Reference Readings:
● Chapter 2, Basic Rules of Interpretation Of Statute, Pg. No.
15-20, V.S. Datey, “Interpretation of Statutes, Taxmann,
September 2019 edition
Case Laws
● Tej Kiran Jain v. N. Sanjiva Reddy, [(1970) 2 SCC 272]
● B.N. Muttov. T.K. Nandi (Dr.) (1979) 1 SCC 361
5. Rules of Statutory Interpretation 2 Hrs.
Golden Rule
Reference Readings:
● Chapter 2, Basic Rules of Interpretation Of Statute, Pg. No.
41-46, V.S. Datey, “Interpretation of Statutes, Taxmann,
September 2019 edition
Case Laws:
● D. Saibaba vs Bar Council Of India &Anr AIR2003SC2502
● G. Narayanaswami v. Pannersevan(1972) 3 SCC 717
6. Rules of Statutory Interpretation 3 Hrs.
Mischief Rule
Reference Readings:
● Chapter 2, Basic Rules of Interpretation Of Statute, Pg. No.
32-34, V.S. Datey, “Interpretation of Statutes, Taxmann,
September 2019 edition
Case Laws:
● R.M.D Chamarbangwala v. Union Of India, (AIR 1957 SC 628)
● Smith v. Hughes, [(1960) 1 W.L.R. 830]
● S.R. Chaudhuri v. State of Punjab (2001) 7 SCC 126
 SVKM’s NarseeMonjee Institute of Management Studies
Name of School – Kirit P. Mehta School of Law
7. Rules of Statutory 3 Hrs.
Interpretation Rule of
Harmonious Construction
Reference Readings:
● Chapter 2, Basic Rules of Interpretation Of Statute, Pg. No. 34-
41, V.S. Datey, “Interpretation of Statutes, Taxmann,
September 2019 edition
Case Laws:
● K.M Nanavati v. State of Bombay, (AIR 1961 SC 112)
● Speedline Agencies v. T. Stanes& Co. Ltd., (2010) 6 SCC 257
● The Remington Rand of India Ltd. v. The Workmen,AIR 1968 SC 224
 SVKM’s NarseeMonjee Institute of Management Studies
Name of School – Kirit P. Mehta School of Law
8. Maxims of Statutory Interpretation 2 Hrs.
● Ejusdem Generis
● Noscitur a Sociis
Case Laws:
● Union of India v. Alok Kumar, (AIR 2010 SC 2735)
● Ashbury Railway Carriage & Iron Co. v. Riche (1875) LR 7 HL 653
9. Maxims of Statutory Interpretation 3 Hrs.
● Expresso uniusest exclusion alterius
● GeneraliaSpecialibus non derogant
● Reddendo singular singulis
Reference Readings:
● Chapter 3, Subsidiary Rules Of Interpretation, Pg. No. 51-60, V.S.
Datey, “Interpretation of Statutes, Taxmann, September 2019 edition
10. Presumptions in Statutory Interpretation 3 Hrs.
• In favour of the constitutionality of Enactment
• The legislature does not commit mistakes or make omissions
• Statutes are presumed to be in conformity with International Law
11. • Presumptions in favor of Natural Justice 2 Hrs.
• Presumptions related to the Jurisdiction of the Courts
• Legislature does not intend what is inconvenient
and unreasonable
• State is bound by the Statute

Reference Readings:
● Chapter 4, General Principles of Interpretation, V.S.
Datey, “Interpretation of Statutes, Taxmann, September 2019 Edition.
Case Laws:
● State of Maharashtra and Ors. Vs. Respondent: Indian Hotel and Restaurants
Assn. and Ors. 2013(5)ABR222
12. AIDS to 2 Hrs.
Construction
Internal Aids
● Title
● Preamble
● Headings
● Marginal Notes
● Punctuation
13. AIDS to 2 Hrs.
Construction
Internal Aids
● Illustrations
● Definitions
● Proviso
● Explanation
● Schedule
Reference Readings :
● Chapter 17, “Aids in Interpretation of Statute”, V.S.
Datey, “Interpretation of Statutes, Taxmann, September 2019 Edition.
 SVKM’s NarseeMonjee Institute of Management Studies
Name of School – Kirit P. Mehta School of Law
14. External aids of construction 2 Hrs.
● Parliamentary History
 SVKM’s NarseeMonjee Institute of Management Studies
Name of School – Kirit P. Mehta School of Law
● Historical Facts and Surrounding Circumstances
● Reports of the Commissions
● Social, Political and Economic Developments
Case Laws:
● S.R. Chaudhary v. State of Punjab (2001) 7 SCC 126
15. External aids of construction 3 Hrs.
● Foreign Decisions
● Dictionaries
● Text Books
● Statutes in Pari Materia
Reference Readings:
● Chapter 17, “Aids In Interpretation Of Statute”, V.S.
Datey, “Interpretation of Statutes, Taxmann, September 2019
Edition.
16. Subsidiary Rules of Interpretation 2 Hrs.
● Non-Obstante clause
● Legal fiction
Reference Readings:
● Chapter 4, General Principles of Interpretation, V.S.
Datey, “Interpretation of Statutes, Taxmann, September 2019
Edition.
17. Subsidiary Rules of Interpretation 2 Hrs.
● Mandatory and Directory Provisions
● Conjunctive and Disjunctive words
Reference Readings:
● Chapter 4, General Principles of Interpretation, V.S.
Datey, “Interpretation of Statutes, Taxmann, September 2019
Edition.
18. Interpretation with reference to subject matter 3 Hrs.
● Taxing Statutes
● Penal Statutes
● Remedial Statutes
Reference Readings:
● Chapter 9, “Interpretation of Tax Laws”, V.S. Datey,
“Interpretation of Statutes, Taxmann, September 2019 Edition.
Case Laws:
● Standard Chartered Bank and Ors v. Directorate of Enforcement,
(2005) 4 SCC 530
 SVKM’s NarseeMonjee Institute of Management Studies
Name of School – Kirit P. Mehta School of Law
19. Principles of Constitutional Interpretation 3 Hrs.
● Principle of colourable legislation
● Principle of pith and substance
● Principle of eclipse
● Principle of Severability
● Principle of territorial nexus
Reference Readings:
● Justice D.M. Dharmadhikari, Principle Of
Constitutional Interpretation:Some Reflections, (2004)
4 SCC (Jour) 1
20. Mimansa Rules of Interpretation 2 Hrs.
● Atidesha axiom
● Sarthakyata axiom
● Laghava axiom
 SVKM’s NarseeMonjee Institute of Management Studies
Name of School – Kirit P. Mehta School of Law
● Arthaikatva axiom
Reference Readings:
● Justice B.N.Srikrishna, Maxwell v. Mimansa, (2004) 6 SCC (Jour)
49
21. Introduction to General Clauses Act 2 Hrs.
● General Definitions
Reference Readings:
● Chapter 16, “ General Clauses Act”, V.S. Datey,
“Interpretation of Statutes, Taxmann, September 2019
Edition
22. Treaty Interpretation under International Law (Vienna Convention of 2 Hrs.
the Law of treaties)
● Article31 General rule of interpretation
● Article 32 Supplementary means of Interpretation
● Article 33 Interpretation of treaties authenticated in two or
more languages
23. Application of Rules of interpretation 3 Hrs.
Critical analyses of the judgments to examine the Principles, Rules
and other tools of interpretation applicable.
Reference Reading:
● Re Prashant Bhushan and Anr (2020 SCCOnLineSC698)
● Gujarat Mazdoor Sabha v State of Gujarat (2020SCCOnLine SC 798)
● Prithvi Raj Chauhan v Union of India and Ors (2020 4 SCC 727)
24. Application of Rules of interpretation 3 Hrs.
Critical analyses of the judgments to examine the Principles, Rules
and other tools of interpretation applicable.
Reference Reading:
● Shilpa Mittal v State (NCT of Delhi) ( 2020) 2 SCC 787
● Amit Sahni v. Commisioner of Police( 2020 SCC OnLine SC 808)
25. Removal of Doubts and Feedback on Projects 2 Hrs.
Total 60 Hrs.
Text Books:
1. VS Datey, “Interpretation of Statutes, Taxmann, September 2019 edition
2. G.P. Singh, Principles of Statutory Interpretation (14th edition 2015) (Classic)
3. P. St. J. Langan, Maxwell on the Interpretation of Statutes (12th ed., 1969)
(Classic)
Reference Books:
1) Bennion, F. A. R. Bennion on Statutory Interpretation: A Code. 5th ed.
London: Lexis Nexis, 2018.
2) Vepa P. Sarathi, Interpretation of Statutes (5th ed. Reprint 2020).
 SVKM’s NarseeMonjee Institute of Management Studies
Name of School – Kirit P. Mehta School of Law
Any other information:
Details of Internal Continuous Assessment (ICA): 50 Marks
Description of ICA Marks
Research Paper 20 Marks
Seminar 10 Marks
Viva 10 Marks
Class Participation 10 Marks
Total Marks: 50 Marks

Anu Mishra
Signature Signature
(Prepared by Faculty ) (Approved by Dean)
SVKM’s NarseeMonjee Institute of Management Studies
Name of School – Kirit P. Mehta School of Law