A Level Law Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT one of the approaches to statutory interpretation?

1. Literal rule

2. Golden rule

3. Pragmatic rule

4. Mischief rule

The correct answer is: Pragmatic rule

The correct answer is indeed the pragmatic rule. In the context of statutory interpretation, the three well-established approaches are the literal rule, the golden rule, and the mischief rule. The literal rule prioritizes the ordinary meaning of the words used in the statute, aiming to apply legislation based on its clear language. The golden rule, a modification of the literal rule, allows a judge to depart from the literal meaning to avoid an absurd outcome. The mischief rule, on the other hand, focuses on understanding the law's purpose and the problem it intended to address, allowing judges to interpret statutes in a way that serves the law's original intent. In contrast, the pragmatic rule is not recognized as an established approach to statutory interpretation in legal literature. While judges often consider practical implications in their rulings, this does not form a distinct or formal method of interpreting statutory text like the other three rules do. Thus, identifying the pragmatic rule as not being a recognized approach is correct.