Literal Rule

Whiteley v Chappell
It was held in interpreting an English Act which made it an offence to
impersonate a person entitled to vote that it was no offence to vote in the
name of a dead person, for a dead person was no longer entitled to vote.

Golden Rule

R. Clayton
It has been held that a disqualified person in the passenger seat of a car,
helping to steer the car, is driving it. The purpose of the provision
which prohibited driving was two-fold, namely to punish the disqualified
driver and to protect the public from his wrongful act by keeping him off
the road. These two purposes were best achieved by giving drive a wide
interpretation.

Mischief rule

R. Cheng Chung Wai

The Court of Appeal held that proceedings in Legco could be referred to
determine the mischief. An admission, in a police statement, that
someone was a triad office bearer did not amount to claiming or
professing under the Societies Ordinance. The mischief behind the
legislation was to cover the situation of claiming or professing in order to
gain some advantage or to intimidate.