Detailed Commentary on Sections in Part 6 Miscellaneous Section 154: Interpretation of legislation
541.This section makes provision for the interpretation of a proposed Assembly Measure, an Assembly Measure, an Act or Bill of the Assembly, and of subordinate legislation made, confirmed or approved or purporting to be made, confirmed or approved under an Assembly Measure or Act of the Assembly. The purpose of the section is to enable the courts to give effect to such legislation, wherever possible, rather than to invalidate it merely because it could be read in such a way as to be outside the competence or powers under which it was made.
542.It provides that, in such case, the legislation is to be read as narrowly as is required for it to be considered to be within competence or powers (if such a reading is possible) and is to have effect according to that narrow reading.