In the absence of express words to the contrary, which of the following should be presumed when interpreting legislation?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

It is a fundamental principle of legal interpretation that legislation should not be interpreted as contradicting the constitution. This is because the constitution is seen as the paramount law of the land, and all other laws must conform to it. Therefore, in the absence of express words to the contrary, it can be presumed that the legislature did not intend for the legislation to contradict the constitution. Options A and B would require explicit language in the legislation to support them, and option C is generally disfavored in legal interpretation unless it is clear from the context that the legislature intended for the law to be retrospective.

In the Absence of Express Words to the Contrary, Which