A Level Law Practice Exam

What does the golden rule aim to prevent?

1. Unanimous decisions

2. Absurd outcomes in legal interpretations

3. Judicial activism

4. Strict adherence to the law

The correct answer is: Absurd outcomes in legal interpretations

The golden rule in statutory interpretation aims to prevent absurd outcomes in legal interpretations. This rule allows judges to deviate from the literal meaning of the words in a statute when the literal interpretation leads to an unreasonable or nonsensical result that was not intended by the legislature. By applying the golden rule, judges can interpret legislation in a way that aligns more closely with the spirit and purpose of the law, thereby avoiding any absurdities that could arise from a strict, literal application. This ensures that the law is applied in a fair and just manner, reflecting the intentions of the lawmakers. In this way, the golden rule serves to balance the need for a clear legal framework with the practical realities of how laws will affect individuals in specific situations. The other options do not accurately capture the essence of the golden rule's purpose. While judicial activism, strict adherence to the law, and unanimous decisions may relate to broader judicial principles, they do not specifically address the issue of preventing absurd outcomes in legal interpretations as the golden rule does.