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This new elective focuses on the core skill of statutory interpretation, and allows students to develop and build their understanding of how to interpret legislation. As legislation needs to be read in context, and as understanding legislation requires a thorough knowledge of the grammatical tools employed by the legislative drafter, this course begins with the language of legislation and examines a number of cases in which interpretation has turned on a proper understanding of the relevant language.
It offers students an opportunity to consolidate their language skills, and also includes an opportunity for students to refresh their legal research skills. In computer based classes students will learn how to find extrinsic materials, and consider their use; research the changing history of legislation and consider why this is important in statutory interpretation; and learn how to use research tools to locate words, phrases and sections which have been the subject of prior judicial consideration.
The course will examine the common law and statutory principles of interpretation, and also look at how these interpretative methods are useful in interpreting contracts, and torts involving breach of statutory duty.
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