## Read the Statute as a Whole

### Elementary Principle

A statute must be construed as a whole — taking all its parts together, not just one part in isolation. Each clause should be interpreted to harmonise with the other provisions, unless that interpretation does violence to the words' natural meaning.

### Why This Rule Exists

Words in one section take colour from words in other sections.
Sweeping general words are best understood by examining other words of like import in the same statute to determine what limitations should be imposed on them.
If similar expressions in the statute have been subjected to limitations and qualifications of the same nature, that is a strong argument for subjecting the disputed expression to a similar limitation.

### Application

This rule applies equally to:

Statutes (Acts) passed by the legislature.
Rules and regulations made under those statutes.
Deeds and documents (read every clause harmoniously).

Worked example

### Example 1

'Notice' example: Suppose one section of an Act says simply that 'notice' should be given — read alone, even an oral notice might be sufficient.

But if another section of the same Act provides that 'notice' should be 'served' on the person, 'left' with him, or given in a particular manner or place, then reading the Act as a whole shows that a written notice was intended throughout. The second section qualifies the meaning of 'notice' in the first.

⚠️ Common exam mistakes

Interpreting a section in isolation from the rest of the statute.
Failing to use parallel expressions in the same Act to identify limitations on sweeping general words.
Forcing harmonisation when the words simply cannot bear that meaning — harmonisation must not do violence to the natural meaning of the text.

Reference:

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Internal Aid: Read the Statute as a Whole

Worked example

⚠️ Common exam mistakes