A Level Law Practice Exam

Which case illustrates the application of the literal rule?

1. Smith v Hughes

2. Coltman v Bibby Tankers

3. Whitley v Chappell

4. Royal College of Nursing v DHSS

The correct answer is: Whitley v Chappell

The case that illustrates the application of the literal rule is Whitley v Chappell. This case concerned the interpretation of a statute that made it an offense to impersonate “any person entitled to vote.” The defendant was charged with impersonating a dead person, which led to the question of whether the law’s wording applied to someone who was no longer alive. Using the literal rule, the court focused on the exact wording of the statute and determined that since a dead person could not be "entitled to vote," the defendant did not commit the offense as defined by the law. This approach exemplifies the literal rule in statutory interpretation, which emphasizes the importance of adhering strictly to the clear meaning of the text without considering the broader purpose or context behind it. In contrast, the other cases showcase different principles of statutory interpretation or different factual circumstances that do not highlight the literal rule in the same manner, making this case particularly notable for its strict adherence to the text of the law.