Statutory Interpretation of 'words and phrases'

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.... be defined in vacuo, or without reference to some context". According to SUTHERLAND there is a "basic fallacy" in saying "that words have meaning in and of themselves", and "reference to the abstract meaning of words", states CRAIES, "if there be any such thing, is of little value in interpreting statures". In the words of JUSTICE HOLMES: "A word is not a crystal transparent and unchanged; it is ....

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....the statute and the mischief that it was intended to remedy. YOGENDRA KUMAR JAISWAL AND ORS. VERSUS STATE OF BIHAR AND ORS.- [2015 (12) TMI 1703 - SUPREME COURT] The concept of context has also been emphasised in Maharaj Singh v. State of U.P.- [1976 (11) TMI 210 - SUPREME COURT] "A word can have many meanings. To find out the exact connotation of a word in a statute, we must look to the conte....

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.... "where the language is plain and admits of but one meaning, the task of interpretation can hardly be said to arise. "The decision in this case," said Lord Morris of Borth-y-Gest in a revenue case, "calls for a full and fair application of particular statutory language to particular facts as found. The desirability or the undesirability of one conclusion as compared with another cannot f....