Interpretation
Interpretation Section
An interpretation section will be found usually at the end of a Part, or towards the end of an Act. Its function is to provide definitions or partial definitions of words used in the Act. For example, see the meaning of business. The use of the word “includes” shows that the meaning is not exhaustive. This is fully part of an Act and may be used for interpretative purposes.
Note also the possible use of a dictionary in determining the meaning of words used by a statute. The words used by Parliament in an Act are presumed to bear their ordinary meaning and a dictionary may be used to find such meaning. But it must be borne in mind that Parliament may give a different technical meaning to words. See Mandla v Dowell Lee [1983] 2 AC 548.