Statutory interpretation: past paper questions
Real questions on statutory interpretation
The newest 20 of 49 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 9084/11 · May/June 2026 · Q6a[10]
Explain how the literal and golden rules are used by judges in statutory interpretation.
See it on the paper → - 9084/11 · May/June 2026 · Q6b[15]
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both the literal and golden rules.
See it on the paper → - 9084/12 · May/June 2026 · Q1[1]
Identify one intrinsic aid used in statutory interpretation.
See it on the paper → - 9084/13 · May/June 2026 · Q6a[10]
Explain how the literal and golden rules are used by judges in statutory interpretation.
See it on the paper → - 9084/13 · May/June 2026 · Q6b[15]
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both the literal and golden rules.
See it on the paper → - 9084/11 · October/November 2025 · Q7a[10]
Explain the rules of language used by judges to interpret statutes.
See it on the paper → - 9084/11 · October/November 2025 · Q7b[15]
Assess the effectiveness of the rules of language in assisting judges in statutory interpretation.
See it on the paper → - 9084/13 · October/November 2025 · Q7a[10]
Explain the rules of language used by judges to interpret statutes.
See it on the paper → - 9084/13 · October/November 2025 · Q7b[15]
Assess the effectiveness of the rules of language in assisting judges in statutory interpretation.
See it on the paper → - 9084/11 · May/June 2025 · Q1[1]
Identify one case in which the mischief rule of statutory interpretation was used by a judge.
See it on the paper → - 9084/13 · May/June 2025 · Q1[1]
Identify one case in which the mischief rule of statutory interpretation was used by a judge.
See it on the paper → - 9084/12 · October/November 2024 · Q1[1]
Identify one extrinsic aid used in statutory interpretation.
See it on the paper → - 9084/12 · October/November 2024 · Q8a[10]
Explain how the police should conduct a lawful stop and search.
See it on the paper → - 9084/12 · October/November 2024 · Q8b[15]
Assess the extent to which the law on stop and search strikes a fair balance between the powers of the police and the rights of the individual.
See it on the paper → - 9084/11 · May/June 2024 · Q6a[10]
Explain the literal and mischief rules of statutory interpretation.
See it on the paper → - 9084/11 · May/June 2024 · Q6b[7]
Assess the extent to which the rules of statutory interpretation prevent judges from making law.
See it on the paper → - 9084/12 · May/June 2024 · Q7a[10]
Explain the intrinsic and extrinsic aids used by judges in statutory interpretation.
See it on the paper → - 9084/12 · May/June 2024 · Q7b[15]
Discuss how useful intrinsic and extrinsic aids are in the task of statutory interpretation.
See it on the paper → - 9084/13 · May/June 2024 · Q2[3]
Identify three rules of language used in statutory interpretation.
See it on the paper → - 9084/13 · May/June 2023 · Q6a[10]
Describe how the literal rule and purposive approach help judges interpret statutes.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
When judges need to interpret the meaning of a statute, there are rules of language, extrinsic and intrinsic aids and presumptions as tools to help them. Explain how these tools work. Assess the extent to which they help the task of statutory interpretation. This was a popular question attempted by many candidates. Better responses explained the three rules of language, using both the Latin term...
— Examiner report, October/November 2022, 9084/11 Q3 (Cambridge)
This question required candidates to apply the Road Traffic Act 1988. The best answers began by identifying that Rebecca was covered by s24(1) as the seat on her bicycle for Jessica was specially constructed. Rebecca does breach s28(2)(a) as riding a bicycle with a child and so much shopping falls below what would be expected of a competent and careful cyclist, especially given that Rebecca knows...
— Examiner report, October/November 2022, 9084/22 Q2(a) (Cambridge)
This question required candidates to apply the Road Traffic Act 1988. Some answers began by identifying that Wilhelm met s31(1) as the race he organised had been authorised by the Secretary of State under S32(2)(a) because Wilhelm had specified different classes of race. In addition, the Secretary of State had not applied any conditions and so Wilhelm met s31(1)(b). On this interpretation of the l...
— Examiner report, October/November 2022, 9084/22 Q2(b) (Cambridge)
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