INTERPRETATION OF STATUTES IN PARI MATERIA

Anand Singh

Introduction
statutes are considered to be in parimateria to pertain to the same subject-matter when they
relate to the same person or things, or to the same class of persons or thing, or have the
same purpose or object. The doctrine of parimateriaprovides that reference to other
statutes dealing with the same subject or forming part of the same system is a permissible
aid to the construction of provisions in a statute. Where there are different statutes in
parimateria, though made at different times, or even expired and not referring to each other,
they shall be taken and construed together, as one system and as explanatory to each other.
The effect of this is in one sense to supply the equity of the statute; but in truth no more is
done than to construe the statute according to its plain language, though the effect of the
construction is incidentally and equitably to deny to local authorities an overriding
privilege, such as would exempt them from all forms of injunction.
Research Problem
While determining the meaning of an expression in a statutes , a specific expressionin an
earlier statute dealing with the same subject matter may be referred to. where there are
different statutes in pari materia though made at different times or even expired and not
referring to each other they shall be taken and sonctrued together as one system and as
exploratory of each other . It has however been thought to be better if reference is made to
earlier statutes only when there is ambiguity in the meaning if an expression. statutes are
said to be in pari materia when they deal with the same parson or thing or class of person
or things. the word par must not be confounded with the word similis, intimating not
likness merely but indentity . it a phrase applicable to the public statutes or general laws
made at differetn time and in reference to the same subject. in exceptional circumstances
the legislature may provde that two act are to be ready together . in such cases the court
must hold that all parts of each act contained in an act unless some absurd consequences
result because of which ot must be said that the earlier act has been modified by the
latter.The sole question to apply this doctrine is whether, in borrowing the word,

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Parliament also intended to borrow its previous processing. This can be a very difficult
matter to determine. One test is whether the two Acts are in parimateria.
Aims and Objectives
The aim of this project is to present a detailed study of Interpretation of statues in pari
materia and implications.
Research questions

Applicability and Scope of Pari Materia.

Circumstances where the doctrine in not applicable..

Judicial interpretation of stututes of pari materia.

Research methodology
The researchers under this study shall follow doctrinal research by referring books and
online resources for articles and journals. The research is exploratory in nature with
relation to the interpretation of statutes. The primary sources used includes online resources
for articles and resources.

Tentative chapterisation

Introduction
The meaning of pari materia and consideration for it.

Rationale behind the rule

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It is to be inferred, that a code of statutes relating to one subject was governed by

one spirit and policy and, intended to be consistent and harmonious in its several
parts and provisions

Application of the doctrine

This doctrine thus provides that all legislations pertaining to labour regulatory
regime or taxation, inter alia, others can be used to interpret the legislations
belonging to the same genre

Earlier Statutes not precisely in pari materia.

Subsequent Statutes which are Parliament Expositions Of Prior Statutes.

Conclusion

Bibliography
Books
The Interpretation of statutes by T. Bhattacharya
Principles of Statutory Interpretation

Justice G.P.Singh

Legal Database
www.duhaime.org
www.legalservicesindia.com
legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com

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