Bachelor of Laws: Statutory Interpretation
A comprehensive guide to legal research created by the VU Law Library
Dictionaries
The choice of dictionary matters. Oxford and Macquarie are considered reliable dictionaries for obtaining the ordinary meaning of a word.
A legal dictionary might be used when the legal meaning is required.
Legal Maxims used in Statutory Interpretation
Statutory Interpretation
The process by which meaning and content are given, by the courts, to statutes and the words and phrases contained in them. This process is aided by various rules and presumptions, such as the literal, mischief and purpose rules, and recourse to extrinsic materials relating to the particular statute in question.
(Encyclopaedic Australian Legal Dictionary, 2016)
Traditional Common Law Approaches to Statutory Interpretation
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Laying Down the Law by Call Number: KL 76 LAYISBN: 9780409344943Publication Date: 2018 10th edLiteral Approach: 10.5; Golden Rule: 10.7; Purposive Approach: 10.9 -
The New Lawyer by ISBN: 9780730358909Publication Date: 2019Literal Approach 251-4; Golden Rule 253; Mischief Rule 257 -
Statutory Interpretation by Call Number: KL 35 K1 SANISBN: 9780190304577Publication Date: 2016 2ndLiteral Rule 208; Golden Rule 209; Mischief Rule 211
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Statutory interpretation in Australia by Call Number: KL 35 K1 PEAISBN: 9780409350579Publication Date: 2019
Modern Approach to Statutory Interpretation
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Laying Down the Law by Call Number: KL 176 LAYISBN: 9780409344943Publication Date: 2018 10th edChapter 10: Approaches to Interpretation of Legislation
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Nutshell : Statutory Interpretation by Call Number: KL 35 K1 GUYISBN: 9780455233079Publication Date: 2013Chapter 1: Historical Approaches to Statutory Interpretation
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James Allsop, 'Statutes: Context, Meaning and Pre-Enactment History' (2005) Bar News 19.A discussion of the modern approach to statutory interpretation.
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R S Geddes, 'Purpose and Context in Statutory Interpretation' (2005) 2 University of New England Law Journal 5Very useful explanation by a leading author in the field.
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Interpretation of Legislation Act 1984 (Vic) s 35(a)Consideration of purpose.
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Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth) s 15AAConsideration of purpose.
Extrinsic Materials
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Statutory Interpretation by Call Number: KL 35 K1 SANISBN: 9780190304577Publication Date: 2016 2ndChapter 8: Extrinsic Materials
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Statutory interpretation in Australia by Call Number: KL 35 K1 PEAISBN: 9780409336955Publication Date: 2014Chapter 3: Extrinsic Aids to Interpretation
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Laying Down the Law by Call Number: KL 176 LAYISBN: 9780409344943Publication Date: 2018 10th edChapter 11: Extrinsic Aids to Interpretation of Legislation
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Nutshell: Statutory Interpretation by Call Number: KL 35 K1 GUYISBN: 9780455233079Publication Date: 2013
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Interpretation of Legislation Act 1984 (Vic) s 35(b)Use of extrinsic materials
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Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth) s 15ABUse of extrinsic materials
Presumptions
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Laying Down the Law by Call Number: KL 176 LAYISBN: 9780409344943Publication Date: 2018 10th edChapter 13: Presumptions use in the Interpretation of Legislation
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Statutory Interpretation by Call Number: KL 35 K1 SANISBN: 9780190304577Publication Date: 2016 2ndChapter 10: Statutory Presumptions
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Nutshell: Statutory Interpretation by Call Number: KL 35 K1 GUYISBN: 9780455233079Publication Date: 2013Chapter 4: Presumptions
Obligations and Discretions
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Statutory Interpretation in Australia by Call Number: KL 35 K1 PEAISBN: 9780409336955Publication Date: 2014Chapter 11: Obligatory and Discretionary Provisions
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Laying Down the Law by Call Number: KL 176 LAYISBN: 9780409344943Publication Date: 2018 10th edChapter 14: Statutory Obligations and Discretions
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Nutshell: Statutory interpretation by Call Number: KL 35 K1 GUYISBN: 9780455233079Publication Date: 2013Chapter 2: 2.3.50 - May, Must and Shall
Statutory Interpretation Web Sites
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Interpretation NOW!interpretation NOW! is an ATO initiative from Gordon Brysland aimed at improving awareness of what courts are saying about statutory interpretation.