# Aids for the Process of Interpretation
When courts interpret a statute, they rely on various aids to discover the true meaning of the law. These aids are broadly classified into two categories.
## Classification of Aids
### 1. Statutory Aids
These are aids provided by the legislature itself. They include:
- General Clauses Act, 1897 — provides definitions and rules of construction that apply to all Central legislation unless a contrary intention appears.
- Specific definitions contained in individual Acts — every statute usually has its own definition section (e.g., Section 2 of most Acts) that gives meanings to terms used within that Act.
### 2. Non-Statutory Aids
These are aids developed outside the text of the legislature. They include:
- Case-law relating to the interpretation of statutes — judicial precedents that explain how words and provisions should be read.
- Rules of Interpretation — principles developed by courts over time (e.g., Literal Rule, Mischief Rule, Harmonious Construction).
## Visual Summary
```
Aids for Interpretation
/ \
Statutory Non-Statutory
/ \ / \
General Specific Case-Law Rules of
Clauses definitions on inter- Interpretation
Act 1897 in Acts pretation
```
## Key Takeaway
Whenever interpreting any provision, the court will first look at statutory aids (definitions in the Act, General Clauses Act), and where these are insufficient or unclear, will turn to non-statutory aids like judicial decisions and established rules of construction.