golden rule

• what is the golden rule?

  an extension of literal rule. if the literal rule will produce an absurd result that parliament didn't intend, the judge may alter words in the statute to produce a satisfactory result
• which case did the golden rule originate from?


  becke v smith
• what is the narrow golden rule?


  where a word has more than one meaning, the judge may pick the meaning that makes sense
• what did lord reid say about the narrow rule in jones v dpp? 


  "if words are capable of more than one meaning, then you can choose between these meanings, but beyond this you cannot go"
• r v allen (narrow golden)


  "marry" can mean legally or a ceremony of marriage
• r v maginnis (narrow golden) 


  undecided whether "supply" could be applied to redelivery of goods by depositee to depositer, D was found guilty under s.5(3) of the misuse of drugs act 1971
• what is the wider golden approach?


  if a word with one clear meaning would lead to a repugnant situation, the judge can modify it to avoid this
• adler v george (wider golden)


  "vicinity of" was modified to include prohibited place itself (s.3 of official secrets act 1920), D was found guilty because he was in the building
• re sigsworth (wider golden)


  "issue", regarding next of kin, could not inherit the will if they murdered the deceased