5 C. Interpretation of law

Words are general; facts are particular — so every application involves interpretation:• The judiciary interprets; the Supreme Court has the final power to interpret theConstitution and law (Art. 128(2)).• Presumptions constitutionality of statutes, against retrospectivity, that the legislature does not intend absurdity.• Classic rules (studied in full in Interpretation of Law, Semester 6): the literal rule (plain meaning), the golden rule (depart from literal meaning to avoid absurdity), the mischief rule (cure the defect the statute targeted — Heydon's case), and the purposive approach (effectuate the legislative purpose), aided by maxims (expressio unius est exclusio alterius, ejusdem generis, noscitur a sociis — see Unit 1, 1.7).• Interpretation cascade: constitution > statute > delegated legislation; special law prevails over general law in its field; later law impliedly repeals inconsistent earlier law.• Constitutional control — the Supreme Court (Constitutional Bench, Art. 137) declares void any law unreasonably restricting fundamental rights or inconsistent with the Constitution (Art. 133(1)).