rules of language

what are the 3 rules of language?

ejusdem generis
noscitur a sociis
expressio unius est exclusio alterius

what is ejusdem generis?

means of the same kind, where general words follow a list of specific words. the general words are limited to the same kind as the specific word

what is an example case of ejusdem generis?

powell v kempton park racecourse: statute stated that it was an offence to use a house, office, room or other rooms’ for betting. D was using a ring at the racecourse

what was held in the powell v kempton park racecourse case?

the ring at  the racecourse was not a place for betting because it was outdoors - the words in the list are indoor places so the general term must mean a place similar to the list

what is noscitur a sociis?

means a word is known by the company it keeps words in a statute must be read in the same context of the words around them

what is an example case of noscitur a sociis?

muir v keay: D ran a premisies called The Cafe where people had cigars, coffee and ginger beer. would need a licence if was kept open for ‘public refreshment, resort and entertainment’

what was held in the muir v keay case?

court looked at the other words to decide the meaning of entertainment. D needed a licence

what is expressio unius est exclusio alterius?

means that the express if one thing implies the exclusion of another

what is an example case of expressio unius est exclusio alterius?

rRv inhabitants of sedgley: statute raised taxes on ‘lands, houses and coalmines’

what was held in the R v inhabitants of sedgley?

court held that it did not apply to limestone mines as these were not specifically mentioned