Sussex Peerage Case
(1844) 11 Cl & Fin 85 · House of Lords
If the words of a statute are clear and unambiguous they must be followed even if the result seems inconvenient.
Unit I · Interpretation of Statutes
Literal (plain meaning) 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 | 3 | Definitions for Central Acts |
| General Clauses Act, 1897 | 13 | Gender and number |
| Constitution of India | 245 | Extent of laws made by Parliament and by the Legislatures of States |
Landmark cases
Gurudevdatta VKSSS Maryadit v. State of Maharashtra
AIR 2001 SC 1980 · Supreme Court of India
When language is plain, the court cannot recast it on a priori notions of policy.
Crawford v. Spooner
(1846) 6 Moore PC 1 · Privy Council
The court cannot fill gaps by adding words the legislature has not used.