The literal rule is the traditional approach to statutory interpretation. Where the judge interprets words they see with ordinary and natural meaning which preserves Parliamentary Sovereignty as it follows exactly what Parliament says.
APPLICATION
A man was killed by a train when he was oiling the tracks without a look out man. His wife tried to sue the railway company for the death of her husband; they didn't provide him with a lookout man. The Act said a lookout man was required when relaying or repairing the track.
Literal approach to statutory interpretation was used suggesting that oiling the track was considered to be maintenance, so no lookout man was required by the act.