CS Executive Interpretation of Statutes — practice questions

1. The five **primary rules** in the ICSI text are: (a) Literal Construction, (b) Mischief Rule or Heydon's Rule, (c) Rule of Reasonable Construction (*Ut Res Magis Valeat Quam Pareat*), (d) Harmonious Construction, and (e) *Ejusdem Generis*. 2. ***Noscitur a Sociis*** is listed under '**Other Rules** of Interpretation', not the primary rules — alongside *Expressio Unis Est Exclusio Alterius*, *Contemporanea Expositio Est Optima Et Fortissima in Lege*, and Strict and Liberal Construction. 3. The ICSI in-line question box gives the same answer: 'Which of the following is not a primary rule of Interpretation? Answer: (C) Noscitur a Sociis.' 4. The discipline is to keep the five primaries and four others distinct in memory. _Source: ICSI CS Executive — Lesson 3, 'General Principles of Interpretation', p. 85 + question box, p. 88._

1. ***Noscitur a Sociis*** literally means '**it is known by its associates**'. 2. The rule directs that the meaning of a word should be ascertained from its accompanying or associating words. A word in a statutory provision is to be read in collocation with its companion words. 3. **'Of the same kind or species'** is the literal meaning of ***Ejusdem Generis***, a related but distinct rule. 4. ICSI cites *K. Bhagirathi G. Shenoy v. K.P. Ballakuraya, AIR 1999 SC 2143* on the relevance of the maxim for understanding the import of words in a statutory provision. _Source: ICSI CS Executive — Lesson 3, 'Noscitur a Sociis', p. 89._