"Mandatory and Directory Or Permissive Words"

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....framed in terms of command, and there is no indication from the nature or wording of the act or the surrounding circumstances that it is to receive a permissive interpretation, it will be construed as pre-emptory." In his discussion on the subject, "Mandatory and Directory or Permissive Words" Crawford in the afore-noticed treatise says: "Ordinarily the words "shall&quo....

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.... with due regard to its nature and object, reveals that the legislature intended the words "shall" and "must" to be directory, they should be given that meaning. Similarly, under the same circumstances, the word "may" should be given a mandatory meaning, and especially where the statute concerns the rights and interests of the public, or where third persons have a cla....