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This 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, it is strongly recommended that students have completed the optional Language Skills for Lawyers course before enrolling in this elective.
The course includes an opportunity for students to develop and 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 consider the broader context of statutory interpretation, including the relationship between statutory interpretation and the protection of human rights.
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