Important Legal Definitions
Explore legal terms, clear definitions and practical examples.
Purposive Interpretation
Canons of Statutory Interpretation
Definition
A modern approach to statutory construction where courts interpret statutory text in light of the overarching purpose, objective, policy, and social goals that the legislature sought to achieve when enacting the law.
Example
In Workmen of American Express International Banking Corp. v. Management, the Supreme Court applied purposive interpretation to the Industrial Disputes Act, construing "continuous service" to include Sundays and public holidays to protect worker welfare.