only to the legal practitioner, but to the numerous unprofessional authorities, such as justices of the peace, local boards, commissioners and others, on whom the task of construing statutes is imposed with increasing frequency.

STANHOPE GARDENS,
May, 1875.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

PRELIMINARY SURVEY.

SECT. I. Introductory

II. Literal construction

III. External circumstances

IV. The context. Earlier and later Acts. Analo-

-

V. The title. Preamble.-Marginal notes.-Schedules.

-Provisoes and saving clauses

CHAPTER II.

TREATMENT OF GENERAL WORDS.

SECT. I. Words understood according to the subject-matter

II. General words restrained to the fitness of the

matter

CHAPTER III.

RESTRICTION TO THE SPECIFIC OBJECT IN VIEW.

SECT. I. Consequences to be considered. Presumption

-

III. Enlarging effect of it.-Acts done by agents.—Ex-

tension of statute to new things

86

CHAPTER IV.

EXTENSION OF THE LETTER TO PREVENT EVASION OR ABUSE.

SECT. I. Presumption that the Legislature does not intend

PAGE

91

99

RESTRICTION OF THE LANGUAGE TO BE IN HARMONY WITH OTHER

PRESUMPTIONS.

SECT. I. Presumption against intention to oust established,

or to create new jurisdictions

II. Presumption against intention to affect the Crown.

CHAPTER VI.

THE SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED.

SECT. I. Presumption against intention to exceed the legi-

timate jurisdiction of Parliament

II. Or to violate international law

III. How far statutes giving rights affect foreigners

CHAPTER VII.

105

112

119

122

CONSTRUCTION TO AVOID COLLISION WITH OTHER PROVISIONS.

SEOT. I. Presumption against repugnancy.-Repeal by impli-

II. Presumption against injustice and absurdity.

III. Construction against impairing obligations, or

allowing advantage from one's own wrong

179

184

II. Statutes encroaching on rights.-Imposing burdens.

—Giving costs.—Regulating forms of contracts.

-Conferring exemptions, privileges, and powers 257

CHAPTER XI.

SUBORDINATE PRINCIPLES.

SECT. I. Effect of usage

271

II. Construction imposed by statute

words. Variation of language

III. Words taken in bonam partem.-Multiplicity of

IV. Associated words understood in a common sense

V. Generic words following more specific

VI. Some particular expressions.

309

CHAPTER XII.

INTENTIONS ATTRIBUTED TO THE LEGISLATURE WHEN IT EXPRESSES

NONE.

SECT. I. Implied enactments.-Logical consequences

II. Implied powers and obligations

III. When imperative, and when directory

IV. Impossibilities dispensed with.-Waiver. -Con-

tracts made non-performable

CHAPTER XIII.

THE SAME SUBJECT.

SECT. I. Effect of penalty on contract

II. Public and private implied remedies

III. Repeal.-Revival.-Commencement

PAGE

314

317

330

345

355

365

376