What is the Golden Rule of statutory interpretation?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Words must be given their plain literal meaning unless it leads to absurdity, where words may be modified
- Step 1: Recall the Golden Rule of statutory construction (Grey v. Pearson).
- Step 2: The grammatical and ordinary sense of words is to be adhered to in the first instance.
- Step 3: If adhering to plain literal meaning leads to manifest absurdity or repugnance, the court may modify the language just enough to avoid that absurdity.
Answer
Words must be given their plain literal meaning unless it leads to absurdity, where words may be modified.
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