Grey v. Pearson
(1857) 6 HLC 61 · House of Lords
The grammatical sense of words is to be followed unless it leads to absurdity, in which case the language may be modified to avoid that absurdity.
Unit I · Interpretation of Statutes
Golden rule and Heydon's mischief rule
Study aid only. Confirm statute numbers with the current bare Act and the official OU LL.B. (3-YDC) 2024–25 syllabus PDF.
Statute sections
| Act / instrument | Section | Name |
|---|---|---|
| General Clauses Act, 1897 | 5 | Coming into operation of enactments |
| General Clauses Act, 1897 | 6 | Effect of repeal |
Landmark cases
Heydon's Case
(1584) 3 Co Rep 7a · Court of Exchequer (England)
The court must ask what the common law was, what mischief it did not provide for, what remedy Parliament appointed, and the true reason of the remedy.
Bengal Immunity Co. Ltd. v. State of Bihar
AIR 1955 SC 661 · Supreme Court of India
Article 141 does not freeze a wrong interpretation; the Court may overrule itself to suppress mischief in Article 286.