Statutory Interpretation in Australia

Abstract

This is the eighth edition of 'Statutory Interpretation in Australia'. It is published 40 years after the first edition. Professor Pearce was the sole author of the first and second editions. He was joined in 1988 by Adjunct Professor Geddes for the third edition and since then all editions have been jointly authored. Like all courts since law in the form of legislation was first made, Australian courts have had to engage in statutory interpretation. One of the earliest cases reported in 'Dowling's Select Cases' was 'Campbell v Rossi' (1 January 1829) which involved the interpretation of excise legislation. Until the publication of the first edition of this book, Australian courts and lawyers were obliged to resort to the leading English texts - 'Craies on Statute Law' and 'Maxwell on the Interpretation of Statutes' - for guidance on the principles to be followed in placing meaning on legislation. There was no ready access to the numerous decisions setting out the principles of statutory interpretation followed by Australian courts.