# Preamble of an Act
## What is a Preamble?
Every Act has a preamble which expresses:
- The scope of the Act
- The object of the Act
- The purpose of the Act
## Role of Preamble in Interpretation
### Primary Role
The preamble is the main source for understanding the intention of the lawmaker behind the Act.
### When can the Preamble be used as an aid?
| Situation | Use of Preamble |
|---|---|
| Statute language is clear and unambiguous | Preamble CANNOT be used to alter meaning |
| Statute language is ambiguous | Preamble accepted as an aid to construction |
### Important Limitation
> The preamble cannot override the provisions of the enactment. It only discloses the primary intention of the legislature.
The substantive provisions always prevail over the preamble.
## Example
Preamble of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881:
> "An Act to define and amend the law relating to Promissory Notes, Bills of Exchange and Cheques."
This tells us:
- Scope: Promissory Notes, Bills of Exchange, Cheques
- Object: To define and amend
- Purpose: Law relating to negotiable instruments
## Summary Rule
Preamble serves as an internal aid to construction:
- It is the key to the mind of the legislature
- Used only when ambiguity exists in the body of the Act
- Cannot override clear statutory provisions