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What does the mischief rule aim to address?

  1. The exact wording of a statute

  2. Unintended consequences of legislation

  3. Increasing judicial conservatism

  4. Strict adherence to common law precedents

The correct answer is: Unintended consequences of legislation

The mischief rule focuses on addressing the purpose and intent behind legislation, specifically looking to resolve issues that arose prior to the enactment of the law. This rule allows judges to interpret statutes in a way that suppresses the mischief or problem that the statute was intended to remedy, rather than strictly adhering to the literal wording. By emphasizing the underlying issues the law aims to address, this rule helps ensure that the application of the law meets its intended objectives and corrects any unintended consequences that might arise from a strict textual interpretation. This approach reflects a more purposive interpretation of the law, which is crucial for effective judicial decision-making.