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Introduction to Statutes

Introduction to Statutes. Spigelman CJ:. The law of statutory interpretation has become the most important single aspect of legal practice. Significant areas of the law are determined entirely by statute. No areas of the law has escaped statutory modification. Who interprets?. Courts

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Introduction to Statutes

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  1. Introduction to Statutes

  2. Spigelman CJ: The law of statutory interpretation has become the most important single aspect of legal practice. Significant areas of the law are determined entirely by statute. No areas of the law has escaped statutory modification

  3. Who interprets? • Courts • Tribunals • Government departments and agencies

  4. What is interpreted? • Legislation • Delegated legislation • Administrative pronouncements

  5. Legislation • Policy initiative • Draft prepared • Explanatory Memorandum • 2nd reading speech draft • First Reading • Second Reading – debate and amendments • Third Reading – vote • Process repeated in Upper House • Royal Assent

  6. Delegated Legislation GENE TECHNOLOGY (LICENCE CHARGES) ACT 2000 TABLE OF PROVISIONS Long Title 1. Short title   2. Commencement 3. Definition 4. GMO licence—annual charge   5. Regulations

  7. GENE TECHNOLOGY (LICENCE CHARGES) ACT 2000 - SECT 5 Regulations The Governor-General may make regulations prescribing matters: (a) required or permitted by this Act to be prescribed; or (b) necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act.

  8. Administrative pronouncements • E.g. – Merger guidelines • Interpretation of s50 TPA • http://www.accc.gov.au/content/item.phtml?itemId=809866&nodeId=7cfe08f3df2fe6090df7b6239c47d063&fn=Merger%20guidelines%202008.pdf

  9. Merger factors: s50(3) (3)  Without limiting the matters that may be taken into account for the purposes of subsections (1) and (2) in determining whether the acquisition would have the effect, or be likely to have the effect, of substantially lessening competition in a market, the following matters must be taken into account:        (a)  the actual and potential level of import competition in the market;                      (b)  the height of barriers to entry to the market;                      (c)  the level of concentration in the market;                      (d)  the degree of countervailing power in the market;                      (e)  the likelihood that the acquisition would result in the acquirer being able to significantly and sustainably increase prices or profit margins;                       (f)  the extent to which substitutes are available in the market or are likely to be available in the market;                      (g)  the dynamic characteristics of the market, including growth, innovation and product differentiation;                      (h)  the likelihood that the acquisition would result in the removal from the market of a vigorous and effective competitor;                       (i)  the nature and extent of vertical integration in the market.

  10. Merger guidelines: Nov 2008 Purpose of these guidelines 1.18. These guidelines provide an outline of the broad analytical framework applied by the ACCC when assessing whether a merger is likely to substantially lessen competition under s. 50. These guidelines have been developed by the ACCC in relation to its functions under s. 50 and do not purport to represent the analytical framework that would be applied by the Tribunal in relation to its mergers functions.

  11. 1.19. These guidelines are designed to provide reliable, comprehensive and detailed information that merger parties, the business community, their advisers and the public can draw on to: • assess the likely level of scrutiny a merger will receive from the ACCC—in particular, guidance is provided on when merger parties should notify the ACCC of a merger (the threshold for notification is outlined in chapter 2) • increase understanding of the application of s. 50 • assist in structuring (or restructuring) mergers to avoid raising competition concerns • identify the types of information that will assist the ACCC to reach a view on how a merger is likely to affect competition—to make informed and timely decisions, the ACCC relies on the cooperation of the merger parties, customers, competitors, suppliers and any other persons or bodies holding relevant information • identify the ACCC’s broad approach to remedying possible anti-competitive mergers through undertakings (see appendix 3).

  12. 1.20. These guidelines do not have any legal force in determining whether a merger is likely to contravene the Act—final determination of the issues is a matter for the courts.

  13. ATO website: Public Rulings, Determinations and Bulletins Public Rulings and Determinations set out the Commissioner's opinion as to the way in which 'a tax law' applies to: a person in relation to a class of arrangements; a class of persons in relation to an arrangement; or a class of persons in relation to a class of arrangements. For more information see: Taxation Ruling TR 2006/10 (concerning the public rulings system), GST Ruling GSTR 1999/1 (concerning the GST Rulings system), Product Ruling PR 2007/71 (concerning the Product Rulings system), Class Ruling CR 2001/1 (concerning the Class Rulings system), Self Managed Superannuation Funds Product Ruling SMSFPR 2009/1 (concerning the Self Managed Superannuation Funds Product Rulings system) and Law Administration Practice Statement PS LA 2008/3 (concerning provision of written advice by the ATO). Go to Public Rulings, Determinations and Bulletins

  14. Legislative Determinations Legislative Determinations are instruments issued by the Commissioner (or delegate) pursuant to a particular provision of an Act. Legislative Determinations, being a form of subordinate legislation, are law. The Legal Database currently contains Legislative Determinations relating to Excise, Goods and Services Tax, Income Tax and the Pay As You Go system. Go to Legislative Determinations ATO Interpretative Decisions An ATO Interpretative Decision (ATO ID) is a summary of a decision on an interpretative issue and is indicative of the Commissioner's view on the interpretation of the law on that particular issue. ATO IDs are produced to assist ATO officers to apply the law consistently and accurately to particular factual situations. For more information see Law Administration Practice Statement PS LA 2001/8 Go to ATO Interpretative Decisions

  15. Courts and interpretation Kirby J in Coleman v Power (2004) 209 ALR 182: It is not the judicial obligation to put specifically to parties…every rule of statutory construction relevant to the performance of the judicial task….this court may adopt a construction of legislation that has not been argued by the parties, and a fortiori is not restricted to the interpretative principles argued by their representatives

  16. Precedent Gummow J in Brennan v Comcare (1994) 50 FCR 555 at 572-3: The judicial technique involved in construing a statutory text is different from that required in applying previous decisions expounding the common law. In the latter class of case, the task is to interpret the legal concepts which find expression in the various language used in the relevant judgements. The frequently repeated caution is against construing the terms of those judgements as if they were the words of a statute. The concern is not with the ascertainment of the meaning and the application of particular words used by previous judges, so much as with gaining an understanding of the concepts to which expression was sought to be given.

  17. Telstra Corp v Treloar(2000) 102 FCR 595 • Branson and Finkelstein JJ: • The view which we prefer is that unless an error in construction is patent, or has produced unintended and perhaps irrational consequences not foreseen by the court that created the precedent, the first decision should stand. … Accordingly, we venture to suggest that it would be on a rare occasion that an intermediate appellate court … will allow an issue concerning the construction of a statute, past and closed and especially a repealed statute, to be thrown open, producing as it clearly will, uncertainty, disruption to the conduct of affairs, a sense of grievance in those who may consequently receive treatment less favourable than that received by others under the same statute and additional cost and expense.

  18. Types of legislation - Consolidation of Acts • Consolidating • Reprinting/Incorporation • Trade Practices Amendment Act (No 1) 2001 • http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/tpaa12001256/sch1.html • Compilations • http://www.comlaw.gov.au/comlaw/management.nsf/lookupindexpagesbyid/IP200401339?OpenDocument • Statute law revision Acts

  19. Consolidation v Codification • Consolidation: existing statute law • Codification: existing statute and common law • Codes v ‘codes’ • Companies code • Corporations Act 2001 • http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/ca2001172/index.html#s3

  20. STRUCTURE OF AN ACT • NUMBER • PREAMBLE • LONG TITLE • SHORT TITLE • OBJECTS/ PURPOSE CLAUSE • TABLE OF CONTENTS • PARTS, DIVISIONS AND HEADINGS • SCHEDULES

  21. Preamble • Whereas the people of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, and Tasmania, humbly relying on the blessing of Almighty God, have agreed to unite in one indissoluble Federal Commonwealth under the Crown of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and under the Constitution hereby established: • And whereas it is expedient to provide for the admission into the Commonwealth of other Australasian Colonies and possessions of the Queen:

  22. Objects clause TRADE PRACTICES ACT 1974 - SECT 2 Object of this Act The object of this Act is to enhance the welfare of Australians through the promotion of competition and fair trading and provision for consumer protection.

  23. SYDNEY TURF CLUB ACT 1943 As at 13 November 2007 Act 22 of 1943 TABLE OF PROVISIONS Long Title An Act to constitute and incorporate a Sydney Turf Club and to declare its objects, functions and powers; to provide for the acquisition by that club of certain racecourses and the equipment thereof; to provide for the discontinuance of the licences of certain racecourses; to provide for the establishment of a Racing Compensation Fund in the Treasury; to amend the Gaming and Betting Act 1912 and certain other Acts; and for purposes connected therewith.

  24. PART 1 - PRELIMINARY 1 Name of Act and commencement (1) This Act may be cited as the Sydney Turf Club Act 1943 . (2) This Act shall commence on a day to be appointed by the Governor and notified by proclamation published in the Gazette. 2.(Repealed) 3.Definitions 3ANotes

  25. PART 2 - SYDNEY TURF CLUB Division 1 - Incorporation and constitution 4. Constitution etc 5. Application of income etc 6. First members, directors and auditors Division 2 - Objects, functions and powers 7. Objects and functions of Club 8. Acting secretary Division 3 - Financial 9. Temporary accommodation 10. Power to borrow 11. Insurance, and payments out of funds Division 4 - (Repealed)None PART 3 - RACING COMPENSATION FUND 15-18. (Repealed)

  26. PART 4 - GENERAL 19. Members defaulting in payment of bets not eligible to continue as members 20. Rights of member personal 21. By-laws 22. Commencement of by-laws 23. Public notification of by-laws 24. Offences etc 25. Exclusion of undesirable persons 26. Directors may fix tolls and charges 27. Power to let lands, buildings or tolls 28. Inspection

  27. 29. Club to repair etc 30. Indemnity 31. (Repealed) 32. Regulations SCHEDULE 1 Schedule 2 (Repealed) SCHEDULE 3

  28. Parts, Divisions and Subdivisions PART IV--RESTRICTIVE TRADE PRACTICES Division 1--Cartel conduct Subdivision A--Introduction Subdivision B--Offences etc Subdivision C--Civil penalty provisions Subdivision D—Exceptions Division 2--Other provisions

  29. TPA Part V Division 2 TRADE PRACTICES ACT 1974 - SECT 66 Interpretation (1)  In this Division:                      (a)  a reference to the quality of goods includes a reference to the state or condition of the goods;                      (b)  a reference to a contract does not include a reference to a contract made before the commencing date;                      (c)  a reference to antecedent negotiations in relation to a contract for the supply by a corporation of goods to a consumer is a reference to any negotiations or arrangements conducted or made with the consumer by another person in the course of a business carried on by the other person whereby the consumer was induced to make the contract or which otherwise promoted the transaction to which the contract relates; and                      (d)  a reference to the person by whom any antecedent negotiations were conducted is a reference to the person by whom the negotiations or arrangements concerned were conducted or made. (2)  Goods of any kind are of merchantable quality within the meaning of this Division if they are as fit for the purpose or purposes for which goods of that kind are commonly bought as it is reasonable to expect having regard to any description applied to them, the price (if relevant) and all the other relevant circumstances.

  30. s74D (3)  Goods of any kind are of merchantable quality within the meaning of this section if they are as fit for the purpose or purposes for which goods of that kind are commonly bought as it is reasonable to expect having regard to:                      (a)  any description applied to the goods by the corporation;                      (b)  the price received by the corporation for the goods (if relevant); and                      (c)  all the other relevant circumstances.

  31. TRADE PRACTICES ACT 1974 - SECT 75AB Certain interpretation provisions (importers and others taken to be manufacturers etc.) apply to this Part Subsections 74A(3) to (8) (inclusive) operate as if references in them to Division 2A of Part V included references to this Part.

  32. ACTS INTERPRETATION ACT 1901 - SECT 13 Headings, schedules, marginal notes, footnotes and endnotes (1)  The headings of the Parts Divisions and Subdivisions into which any Act is divided shall be deemed to be part of the Act.              (2)  Every schedule to an Act shall be deemed to form part thereof.              (3)  No marginal note, footnote or endnote to an Act, and no heading to a section of an Act, shall be taken to be part of the Act.

  33. Headings PART V--CONSUMER PROTECTION Division 1--Unfair practices 51AF. Part does not apply to financial services   51A. Interpretation 52. Misleading or deceptive conduct (1)  A corporation shall not, in trade or commerce, engage in conduct that is misleading or deceptive or is likely to mislead or deceive.

  34. Stephen J at [12]: ...I do not regard it as appropriate that the unambiguous words of s. 52 should be given some unnaturally confined meaning because of the heading to Pt V. ... I would adopt what was said by Latham C.J. in Silk Bros Pty. Ltd. v. State Electricity Commission (Vict.) [1943] HCA 2; (1943) 67 CLR 1, at p 16 concerning the use of headings in the interpretation of statutes. His Honour said: "The headings in a statute or in Regulations can be taken into consideration in determining the meaning of a provision where that provision is ambiguous, and may sometimes be of service in determining the scope of a provision (see In re Commercial Bank of Australia Ltd. (1893) 19 VLR 333, at p 375 ). 'But where the enacting words are clear and unambiguous, the title, or headings, must give way, and full effect must be given to the enactment' (Bennett v. Minister for Public Works (N.S.W.) [1908] HCA 50; (1908) 7 CLR 372, at p 383 , per Isaacs J.)."

  35. Stephen J: • 13. To subject the clear and quite general words of s. 52 to some limitation derived from the heading to Pt V is, I think, especially inappropriate in the case of this particular legislation. The Act is intricately drafted, some of its provisions being expressed in terms of broad generalities, as is s. 52, others in elaborate detail. Each may be seen to take the precise form it does because of the particular work intended for it. That s. 52 (1) is intended to be a provision having a broad reach is made clear by the express provision in s. 52 (2) preserving its "generality" from any limitation which might be thought to arise from the more specific provisions of succeeding sections. It is also significant that the quasi-definitions of "consumer" in s. 4 (3) appear to have little application to most of the provisions of Div. 1 of Pt V; it is on Div. 2 that they principally operate. To interpret the provisions of Div. 1 in the light of the quasi-definitions, applied, through this heading, to the entire Part, will be to distort in numerous respects the otherwise clearly apparent legislative pattern manifest in Pt V. (at p226)

  36. Concrete Constructions v Nelson • 5. The general heading "Consumer Protection" at the commencement of Pt V is part of the Act (Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth), s.13). It constitutes part of the context within which the substantive provisions of Pt V must be construed and should be taken into consideration in determining the meaning of those provisions in case of ambiguity. The heading does not, however, control the permissible scope of the substantive provisions of Pt V and cannot properly be used to impose an unnaturally constricted meaning upon the words of those substantive provisions (see Hornsby Building Information Centre Pty. Ltd., at p 225; Parkdale, at p 202).

  37. As a matter of language, s.52 prohibits a corporation from engaging in misleading or deceptive conduct "in trade or commerce" regardless of whether the conduct is misleading to, or deceptive of, a person in the capacity of a consumer. In these circumstances, it is not permissible to give to the heading of Pt V the effect of confining the general words of s.52 to cases involving the protection of consumers alone. So to constrict the provisions of s.52 would be to convert a general prohibition of misleading or deceptive conduct by a corporation, be it consumer or supplier, in trade or commerce, into a discriminatory requirement that a corporate supplier of goods or services should observe standards in its dealings with a corporate consumer which the consumer itself was left free to disregard. That being so, the general words of s.52 must be construed as applying even-handedly to corporations involved in a transaction or dealing with one another "in trade or commerce". So to say is not, however, to deny the significance of the heading "Consumer Protection" for the purposes of the present case. In particular, as will appear, that heading is of importance in determining the effect of the words "in trade or commerce" in s.52 (see Hornsby Building Information Centre Pty. Ltd., at p 224).

  38. Raglessv Prospect City Council [1922] SASR 299 at 311 per Murray CJ: I think the rules [as to the use of headings] may be stated thus: If the language of the sections is clear, and is actually inconsistent with the headings, the headings must give way; If the language of the sections is clear, but, although more general, is not inconsistent with the headings, the sections must be read subject to the headings If the language of the sections is doubtful or ambiguous, the meaning which is consistent with the headings must be adopted.

  39. The Sectionis the most important part of an Act Sections are sub-divided into: SECTION s1 SUB-SECTION (2) PARAGRAPH (a) SUB-PARAGRAPH (v)

  40. Elements of a section • The elements of a section form a checklist – not a shopping list. • Unless it is drafted in the alternative, eachelement must be satisfied. • The sub-sections of each section are to be read independently – unless the drafting clearly indicates otherwise

  41. TRADE PRACTICES ACT 1974 - SECT 52 Misleading or deceptive conduct (1)  A corporation shall not, in trade or commerce, engage in conduct that is misleading or deceptive or is likely to mislead or deceive.

  42. Elements of s52(1) • Corporation • Trade or commerce • Engage in conduct • Misleading or deceptive

  43. Elements exercise TRADE PRACTICES ACT 1974 - SECT 60 Harassment and coercion A corporation shall not use physical force or undue harassment or coercion in connection with the supply or possible supply of goods or services to a consumer or the payment for goods or services by a consumer.

  44. TRADE PRACTICES ACT 1974 - SECT 75AD Liability for defective goods causing injuries--loss by injured individual If: (a)  a corporation, in trade or commerce, supplies goods manufactured by it; and (b)  they have a defect; and (c)  because of the defect, an individual suffers injuries; then: (d)  the corporation is liable to compensate the individual for the amount of the individual's loss suffered as a result of the injuries; and (e)  the individual may recover that amount by action against the corporation; and (f)  if the individual dies because of the injuries--a law of a State or Territory about liability in respect of the death of individuals applies as if:                               (i)  the action were an action under the law of the State or Territory for damages in respect of the injuries; and                              (ii)  the defect were the corporation's wrongful act, neglect or default.

  45. TRADE PRACTICES ACT 1974 - SECT 71 Implied undertakings as to quality or fitness (1)  Where a corporation supplies (otherwise than by way of sale by auction) goods to a consumer in the course of a business, there is an implied condition that the goods supplied under the contract for the supply of the goods are of merchantable quality, except that there is no such condition by virtue only of this section:                      (a)  as regards defects specifically drawn to the consumer's attention before the contract is made; or                      (b)  if the consumer examines the goods before the contract is made, as regards defects which that examination ought to reveal.

  46. Section headings • Not part of an Act • May be used as extrinsic material • Order in which sections to be read

  47. Schedules • http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/legislation/bills/r4335_aspassed/toc_word/10074b01.docx;fileType=application%2Fvnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document

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