family law rd neel (1)

7/30/2019 Family Law RD Neel (1)

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Family Law

Rough Draft

Reddendo singula singulis and Ejusdem Generis

Submitted to - Submitted By

Ms. Samreen Hussain Neelesh gautam

Roll No. 162

SectionB

V Semester


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Title: Reddendo singula singulis and Ejusdem Generis

Aim of the Project:

The aim of this project is to study the secondary rules of interpretation i.e., Reddendo singula

singulis and Ejusdem Generis.These maxims are used as rules in interpreting the statutory

provisions of Act.

Hypothesis:

Reddendo singula singulis The said principle says that a particular phrase or subject is to be

connected with or read with another provision or another qualifying statement for getting a legal

resultThis rule was formulated in an Irish case M Neill v. Crommel 1.It was said in the

case,Where there are general words of description, following an enumeration of particular

things such general words are to be construed distributively reddendo singule singulis ; and if

the general words will apply to some things and not to others, the general words are to be

applied to those things to which they will, and not to those to which they will not apply ; that

rule is beyond all controversy. Justice G.P. Singh, in his celebrated work Interpretation of

Statutes, has given best example of the principles of reddendo singula singulis. He has said in

the statement Sone should not draw or fire a sword or a gun in the public. According to the

author, the word word is to be read with the word draw, while the word Sgun is to be read with

the word fire, because, a sword can never be fired. In the present matter according to us, when

the legislature, in its wisdom has observed that the legislature itself has made a distinction

between contribution and disclosure of contribution, then, contribution cannot be read to mean

a disclosure.

Ejusdem GenerisAccording to the Black's Law Dictionary (8th edition, 2004) the principle ofEjusdem Generis is where general words follow an enumeration of persons or things, by words

of a particular and specific meaning, such general words are not to be construed in their widest

extent, but are to be held as applying only to persons or things of the same general kind or class

as those specifically mentioned. it is a canon of statutory construction, where general words

follow the enumeration of particular classes of things, the general words will be construed as

1 [1858]


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applying only to things of the same general class as those enumerated. The expression EjusdemGeneris means of the same kind. Normally, general words should be given their natural meaning

like all other words unless the context requires otherwise. But when a general word follows

specific words of a distinct category, the general word may be given a restricted meaning of the

same category. The general expression takes it's meaning from the preceding particular

expressions because the legislature by using the particular words of a distinct genus has shown

its intention to that effect. This principle is limited in its application to general word following

less general word only. If the specific words do not belong to a distinct. Genus, this rule is

inapplicable. Consequently, if a general word follows only one particular word, that single

particular word does not constitute a distinct genus and, therefore, Ejusdem Generis rule cannot

be applied in such a case. The principle of Ejusdem Generis is not a universal application. If the

context of legislation rules out the applicability of this rule, it has no part to play in the

interpretation of general words. The basis of the principle of Ejusdem Generis is that if thelegislature intended general words to be used in unrestricted sense, it would not have bothered

to use particular words at all.

Tentative Chapter Division:

Tentatively the research work will be arranged on follows:

A.Introduction

B. Reddendo singula singulisC. Ejusdem GenerisD. ConclusionE. Bibliography


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Research Methodology:

The proposed research study will be carried out with the help of the following strategies:

1. Studying Primary and Secondary Sources (Books, Articles)2. Library Research

BIBLIOGRAPHY

BOOKS-

i. Principles of Statutory InterpretationsJustice G P Singh.12th ed

ii. Statutory Interpretation, by Ruth Sullivan, 1997

family law rd neel (1)

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