{"kind":"expression","expression":{"expr_id":"98","doc_id":"98","label":"1995 Revision","is_as_enacted":"f","commenced_on":null,"superseded_on":null,"valid_from":null,"valid_to":null,"is_current":"t","incorporating":null,"akn_expr_iri":"\/akn\/ky\/act\/1963\/17\/eng@1995-01-01","akn_envelope":"{\"_canary\": {\"iri\": {\"work\": \"\/akn\/ky\/act\/1963\/17\", \"expression\": \"\/akn\/ky\/act\/1963\/17\/eng@1995-01-01\", \"manifestation\": \"\/akn\/ky\/act\/1963\/17\/eng@1995-01-01.pdf\"}, \"pdf\": {\"md5\": \"31f3b5565fe7dc30e140df0ae1f2f3ca\", \"path\": \"\/Users\/q\/kyleg-data\/working\/PRINCIPAL\/1963\/1963-0017\/1963-0017_1995 Revision.pdf\", \"pages\": 25, \"filename\": \"1963-0017_1995 Revision.pdf\"}, \"errors\": [], \"extraction\": {\"model\": null, \"stats\": {\"word_count\": 8274, \"paragraph_count\": 65, \"text_char_count\": 53389}, \"usage\": null, \"method\": \"pymupdf-text\", \"version\": \"kyleg-akn-1.0\", \"extracted_at\": \"2026-06-22\"}, \"classification\": \"text_layer\", \"validation_flags\": [], \"docai_processor_id\": null}, \"akomaNtoso\": {\"act\": {\"body\": [{\"eId\": \"sec_n1\", \"num\": null, \"text\": \"Interpretation Law (1995 Revision) INTERPRETATION LAW (1995 Revision) ENACTED by the Legislature of the Cayman Islands. Preliminary\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_1\", \"num\": \"1.\", \"text\": \"Short title 1. This Law may be cited as the Interpretation Law (1995 Revision).\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_2\", \"num\": \"2.\", \"text\": \"Definition 2. In this Law \u2014 \u201cLaw\u201d means any Law and any regulations made thereunder, and any prerogative Order of the Sovereign in Council applicable exclusively to the Islands, whether enacted before or after the commencement of this Law. General principles of interpretation\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_3\", \"num\": \"3.\", \"text\": \"Interpretation of terms applicable generally 3. (1) In this Law and in all Orders in Council, Laws, proclamations, regulations, rules, bye-laws, orders, directions, notices, forms and other instruments of a public character relating to the Islands, now in force or hereafter to be made, the following words and expressions shall have the meanings hereby assigned to them respectively, unless there is something in the subject or context inconsistent with such construction, or unless it is therein otherwise expressly provided \u2014 Interpretation Law \u201cAct\u201d used with reference to legislation includes an Act of the Imperial Parliament; \u201cact\u201d used with reference to an offence or civil wrong, includes a series of acts, and words which refer to acts done extend to illegal omissions; \u201caffidavit\u201d includes any document in relation to which an affirmation or declaration has been made by any person allowed by law to affirm or to declare instead of swearing; \u201cBritish possession\u201d means any British Dependent Territory, Colony or protectorate, or any protected state, or any territory in respect of which a Mandate is being exercised by Her Majesty\u2019s Government in the United Kingdom or the Government of any part of Her Majesty\u2019s dominions; \u201cChristian name\u201d means any name prefixed to a surname, whether received in Christian baptism or otherwise; \u201ccoin\u201d means any coin legally current in the Islands; \u201ccommencement\u201d, used with reference to a Law, means the time at which the Law comes into operation; \u201ccommon law\u201d means the common law of England; \u201cconstable\u201d means any officer, sub-officer or member of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Force; \u201cconsul\u201d or \u201cconsular officer\u201d includes Consul-General, Consul, ViceConsul, Consular Agent and any person for the time being authorised to discharge the duties of a Consul-General, Consul or Vice-Consul; \u201ccontravene\u201d, in relation to any requirement or condition prescribed in any Law, or in any permit, licence or other authority granted under any law, includes a failure to comply with that requirement or condition; \u201ccourt\u201d means any court of the Islands of competent jurisdiction; \u201ccourt of summary jurisdiction\u201d means a court established by section 3 of the Summary Jurisdiction Law [Law 10 of 1975]; \u201cCrown Agents\u201d means the persons for the time being acting as Crown Agents for Overseas Governments and Administrations in England, or any of them; \u201cDependent Territory\u201d or \u201cColony\u201d, used with reference to any place other than the Islands, includes a British Protectorate or protected state and any territory under British mandate; \u201cfinancial year\u201d means the twelve months ending the 31st December in any year; \u201cGazette\u201d means a Government Notice; \u201cgazetted\u201d means published by Government Notice; \u201cGovernment\u201d means the Government of the Islands; Interpretation Law (1995 Revision) \u201cGovernor\u201d means the person for the time being holding the office of Governor of the Islands, and includes any person for the time being lawfully performing the functions of that office under section 1 of Schedule 2 to the Cayman Islands (Constitution) Orders 1972 to 1993 [U.K.S.I.\u2019S 1972\/1101; 1984\/126;1987\/2199, 1992\/226 and 1993\/3143], and to the extent to which a Deputy appointed under section 4 of Schedule 2 to the Cayman Islands (Constitution) Orders 1972 to 1993 is authorised to act, that Deputy; \u201cGovernor in Council\u201d means the Governor acting in accordance with the advice of the Executive Council of the Islands; \u201cGrand Court\u201d means the Grand Court constituted under section 49H of Schedule 2 to the Cayman Islands (Constitution) Orders 1972 to 1993; \u201cHis Majesty\u201d, \u201cHer Majesty\u201d, \u201cthe King\u201d, \u201cthe Queen\u201d or \u201cthe Crown\u201d means His Majesty the King or Her Majesty the Queen, the Sovereign for the time being of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the British dominions beyond the seas, and includes the predecessors and the heirs and successors of such King or Queen; \u201chouse\u201d includes every messuage, part of a messuage, house, part of a house, building or other construction, whether wholly or in part above or below the surface of the ground, inhabited or occupied either by day or by night by man, whether beneficially or otherwise, or intended to be so inhabited or occupied; \u201cImperial Act\u201d means an Act passed by the Imperial Parliament and assented to by Her Majesty; \u201cImperial Parliament\u201d or \u201cParliament\u201d means the Parliament of the United Kingdom; \u201cthe Islands\u201d means the Cayman Islands; \u201ca Justice\u201d or \u201ca Justice of the Peace\u201d means a person appointed by the Governor to be a justice of the peace for the Islands; \u201cland\u201d and \u201cpremises\u201d includes all tenements or hereditaments, and also all messuages, houses, buildings or other constructions, whether the property of Her Majesty, her heirs or successors, or of any corporation or private individual, except where there are words to exclude houses and other buildings; \u201cLaw\u201d includes any Order in Council; \u201cMagistrate\u201d has the meaning assigned to it in the Summary Jurisdiction Law [Law 10 of 1975]; \u201coath\u201d includes affirmation or declaration in the case of persons by law allowed to affirm or declare instead of swearing; \u201cto occupy\u201d includes, in addition to its ordinary signification, to use, inhabit, possess or enjoy the premises in respect whereof that verb is used, otherwise Interpretation Law than as a mere servant and for the mere purpose of the care, custody and charge thereof; \u201cOrder in Council\u201d means any prerogative Order of the Sovereign in Council applicable exclusively to the Islands; \u201cperson\u201d includes any corporation, either aggregate or sole, and any club, society, association or other body, of one or more persons; \u201cprescribed\u201d means prescribed by the Law in which the word occurs or by any regulations made thereunder, and, in relation to any regulations, where no other authority is empowered in that behalf in the Law, prescribed by the Governor in Council; \u201cproclamation\u201d means a proclamation of the Governor under the Public Seal; \u201cproperty\u201d includes money, goods, things in action, land and every description of property, whether real or personal; also obligations, easements and every description of estate, interest and profit, present or future, vested or contingent, arising out of or incident to property as above defined; \u201cpublic general holiday\u201d means any day which under the provisions of any Law for the time being in force is, is declared to be or is proclaimed as a public general holiday; \u201cpublic place\u201d includes every public highway, street, road, square, court, alley, lane, bridleway, footway, parade, wharf, jetty, quay, bridge, public garden or open space and every theatre, place of public entertainment of any kind or other place of general resort, admission to which is obtained by payment, or to which the public have access; \u201crecorded\u201d, used with reference to a document, means recorded under the provisions of the Law applicable to the recording of such document; \u201cPublic Seal\u201d means the Public Seal of the Islands; \u201cregistered\u201d, used with reference to a document, means recorded under the provisions of the Law applicable to the registration of such document; \u201cregulations\u201d include rules, bye-laws, proclamations, orders, schemes, notifications, directions, notices and forms; \u201crules of court\u201d when used in relation to any court, means rules made by the authority having for the time being power to makes rules or orders regulating the practice and procedure of such court; \u201csell\u201d includes exchange and barter; \u201cSecretary of State\u201d means one of Her Majesty\u2019s Principal Secretaries of State for the time being; \u201cship\u201d means every description of vessel used in navigation not exclusively propelled by oars; Interpretation Law (1995 Revision) \u201csign\u201d, with reference to a person who is unable to write his name, includes \u201cmark\u201d; \u201cStatute\u201d includes an Act of the Imperial Parliament; \u201cstreet\u201d or \u201croad\u201d includes any public highway, street, road, thoroughfare, square, court, alley, lane, bridleway, footway, parade, passage, or open place used or frequented by the public, or to which the public have or are permitted to have access; \u201csummarily\u201d, \u201cin a summary manner\u201d or \u201con summary conviction\u201d means respectively before a court of summary jurisdiction; \u201cswear\u201d includes to affirm or to declare in the case of any person allowed by law to affirm or to declare instead of swearing; \u201cUnited Kingdom\u201d means Great Britain and Northern Ireland; \u201cvessel\u201d includes any ship, boat, lighter or other floating craft used for transport by water; \u201cvoluntary declaration\u201d or \u201cstatutory declaration\u201d if made \u2014 (a) in the Islands means a declaration made under the Voluntary Declarations Law (Revised \u2013 1978 Revision); (b) in the United Kingdom or any British possession beyond the Islands means a declaration made before a justice of the peace, notary public or other person having authority therein under any law for the time being in force to take or receive a declaration; and (c) in any other place, means a declaration made before a British Consul or Vice-Consul, or before any person having authority under any Act of Parliament for the time being in force to take or receive a declaration; \u201cwill\u201d includes codicil; \u201cwriting\u201d includes printing, lithography, typewriting, photography and other modes of representing or reproducing words or figures in visible form; and \u201cyear\u201d and \u201cmonth\u201d mean respectively a year or a month reckoned according to the British calendar. (2) Every local law of the Islands shall be carried out and applied according to the plain reading, and not according to any private construction, and any private construction influencing a decision in any case shall be deemed a sufficient cause for appeal or new trial or counter prosecution. (3) It is hereby declared that the Cayman Islands are comprised of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman; and any reference in any Law, enactment or other instrument of a public nature to the Islands or any of them shall be a reference to them or it by name, and by no other designation. Interpretation Law\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_4\", \"num\": \"4.\", \"text\": \"General interpretation of gender and number 4. In this Law and in all Laws and other instruments of a public character relating to the Islands now in force or hereafter to be made, unless there is something in the subject or context inconsistent with such construction, or unless it is therein otherwise expressly provided \u2014 (a) words importing the masculine gender include females; and (b) words in the singular include the plural, and words in the plural include the singular.\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_5\", \"num\": \"5.\", \"text\": \"References to public officers by title of office 5. A reference in any Law to any public officer by the usual title of his office shall, if there be such an office customarily in the Islands and unless the contrary intention appears, be read and construed as referring to the person for the time being holding or carrying out the duties of that office in the Islands.\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_6\", \"num\": \"6.\", \"text\": \"References to the Crown 6. In any Law references to the Sovereign reigning at the time of the passing of the Law or to the Crown shall, unless the contrary appears, be construed as references to the Sovereign for the time being.\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_7\", \"num\": \"7.\", \"text\": \"References to time means standard time; power to declare standard time 7. Whenever any expression of time occurs in any Law, deed or other legal instrument, the time referred to shall, unless it is otherwise expressly provided, be held to signify the standard time adopted for the Islands; and for such purpose the Governor in Council may by order declare the standard time for the Islands.\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_8\", \"num\": \"8.\", \"text\": \"Computation of time 8. In computing time for the purpose of any Law, unless the contrary intention appears \u2014 (a) a period of days from the happening of an event or the doing of any act or thing shall be deemed to be exclusive of the day in which the event happens or the act or thing is done; (b) if the last day of the period is Sunday or a public general holiday (which days are in this section referred to as excluded days) the period shall include the next following day, not being an excluded day; (c) when any act or proceeding is directed or allowed to be done or taken on a certain day, then if that day happens to be an excluded day, the act or proceeding shall be considered as done or taken in due time if it is done or taken on the next day afterwards, not being an excluded day; and Interpretation Law (1995 Revision) (d) when an act or proceeding is directed or allowed to be done or taken within any time not exceeding six days, excluded days shall not be reckoned in the computation of the time.\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_9\", \"num\": \"9.\", \"text\": \"Provisions where no time prescribed 9. Where no time is prescribed or allowed within which anything shall be done, such thing shall be done with all convenient speed, and as often as the prescribed occasion arises.\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_10\", \"num\": \"10.\", \"text\": \"Measurement of distances 10. In the measurement of any distance for the purpose of any Law, that distance shall, unless the contrary intention appears, be measured in a straight line on a horizontal plane.\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_11\", \"num\": \"11.\", \"text\": \"References to the number of a line 11. A reference in any Law to the number of a line of any section of any Law means such line in the latest official printed copy of such Law at the time of the passing of the Law containing such reference.\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_12\", \"num\": \"12.\", \"text\": \"Definitions subject to context and to apply to regulations, etc. 12. (1) Where expressions are defined in any Law, such expressions shall have the meanings assigned to them, unless there is anything in the subject or context repugnant to, or inconsistent with, such meaning. (2) Where expressions defined in any Law are used in any regulations or instrument made under such Law such expressions shall have the respective meanings assigned to them by the Law, unless there is anything in the subject or context repugnant to, or inconsistent with, such meaning. (3) Where a word is defined in a Law or any regulations, other parts of speech and grammatical variations of that word, and cognate expressions, shall have corresponding meanings in that Law or those regulations. Commencement and citation of Laws\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_13\", \"num\": \"13.\", \"text\": \"Authenticated copy and assent to Bills 13. (1) A copy of every Bill which may hereafter be passed by the Legislature of the Islands shall immediately after it is so passed be printed by any person authorised by the Governor, on vellum or some durable paper and shall, if such be the case, be authenticated by the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly as being a true and correct copy of the Bill which passed. (2) Where \u2014 Interpretation Law (a) the Governor assents to any Bill so passed, his assent shall be made on the authenticated copy; or (b) Her Majesty assents to any Bill so passed, a notification of Her assent shall be made on the authenticated copy, and in either case one authenticated copy shall then be forwarded to the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, to the Secretary of State and to the authorised printer as aforesaid for the purposes of record.\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_14\", \"num\": \"14.\", \"text\": \"Notification of assent to be published 14. In the case of every Bill which may hereafter be passed in the Islands, the Governor shall, on assenting thereto, or on to receiving official intimation that the Bill has been duly assented to, cause a notification of such assent to be gazetted.\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_15\", \"num\": \"15.\", \"text\": \"Commencement of Law on publication of assent, etc. 15. (l) Every Law shall, unless it is otherwise therein expressly provided, come into operation on the day of the publication of the notification of assent. (2) The date on which a Law comes into operation, whether under the provisions of this section or according to the express provisions contained in the Law, shall be written on the original of the Law and on all copies thereof in some convenient place.\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_16\", \"num\": \"16.\", \"text\": \"Moment when Law or regulations comes into operation 16. Where any Law, part of a Law or any regulations made thereunder came or comes into operation on a particular day, it shall be deemed to have come or shall come into operation immediately on the expiration of the day next preceding such day.\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_17\", \"num\": \"17.\", \"text\": \"Laws to be public Laws and judicially noticed 17. Every Law (which expression in this section does not include regulations) shall be a public Law and shall be judicially noticed as such, unless the contrary is expressly provided by the Law.\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_18\", \"num\": \"18.\", \"text\": \"Sections to be substantive enactments 18. Every section of any Law shall have effect as a substantive enactment without introductory words. Interpretation Law (1995 Revision)\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_19\", \"num\": \"19.\", \"text\": \"Mode of citing Laws 19. When any Law is referred to, it shall be sufficient for all purposes to cite such Law either by the short title (if any) by which it is made citable, or by the year in which it was made and its number among the Laws of that year, or in the case of a revised edition of the Laws issued under any Law providing for the issue of a revised edition, by its short title or its chapter number; and the reference may in all cases be made according to the copies of Laws printed in England or by any person authorised to print copies by the Governor.\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_20\", \"num\": \"20.\", \"text\": \"References in Laws 20. (1) A reference in a Law by number or letter to a Part, section, subsection, paragraph, sub-paragraph or other division of another Law or enactment shall be construed as a reference to such Part, section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph or other division of such other Law or enactment as printed by authority of Law. (2) Where in a Law reference is made to a Part, division, section, schedule or form without anything in the context to indicate that a reference to a Part, division, section, schedule or form of some other Law is intended, the reference shall be construed as a reference to a Part, division, section, schedule or form of the Law in which the reference is made. (3) Where in a section of a Law reference is made to a subsection, paragraph, subparagraph or other division without anything in the context to indicate that a reference to a subsection, paragraph, sub-paragraph or other division of some other section or provision is intended, the reference shall be construed as a reference to a subsection, paragraph, sub-paragraph or other division of the section in which the reference is made. (4) Where in a schedule or Part of a schedule to a Law reference is made to a paragraph, sub-paragraph or other division without anything in the context to indicate that a reference to a paragraph, sub-paragraph or other division of some other provision is intended, the reference shall be construed as a reference to the paragraph, sub-paragraph or other division of the schedule or the Part of the schedule to which the reference is made. (5) Where in a Law reference is made to any regulations, without anything in the context to indicate that a reference to regulations made under some other Law is intended, the reference shall be construed as a reference to regulations made under the Law in which the reference occurs.\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_21\", \"num\": \"21.\", \"text\": \"Collective titles 21. If it is provided that any Law may, as to the whole or any part thereof, be cited \u2014 (a) with any other Law to form a group of Laws; or (b) with any group of Laws, Interpretation Law that group shall be construed as including that Law or part, and the collective title of the group shall state the year of the first Law in the group and the year of last Law in the group; and as often as any subsequent Law is added to that group the year in which the subsequent Law is passed shall be substituted for the last year of the group.\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_22\", \"num\": \"22.\", \"text\": \"Words to be included in citation of portion of Law. 22. In any Law a description or citation of a portion of another Law shall, unless the contrary intention appears, be construed as including the word, section or other part mentioned or referred to as forming the beginning and as forming the end of the portion comprised in the description or citation. Provisions as to repeals\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_23\", \"num\": \"23.\", \"text\": \"Repeal of a repealing enactment 23. Where a Law, whether before or after the commencement of this Law, repeals a repealing enactment, it shall not be construed as reviving any enactment previously repealed, unless words are added reviving that enactment.\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_24\", \"num\": \"24.\", \"text\": \"Repeal and substitution 24. Where a Law repeals wholly or partially any former Law and substitutes provisions for the Law repealed, the repealed Law shall remain in force until the substituted provisions come into operation.\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_25\", \"num\": \"25.\", \"text\": \"Effect of repeal 25. (1) Where any Law repeals and re-enacts, with or without modification, any provision of any Law in force, reference in any other Law to the provision so repealed shall, unless the contrary intention appears, be construed as references to the provisions so re-enacted. (2) Where any Law repeals any other enactment, then, unless the contrary intention appears, the repeal shall not \u2014 (a) revive anything not in force or existing at the time at which the repeal takes effect; (b) affect the previous operation of any enactment so repealed or anything duly done or suffered under any enactment so repealed; (c) affect any right, privilege, obligation or liability acquired, accrued or incurred under any enactment so repealed; (d) affect any penalty, fine, forfeiture or punishment incurred in respect of any offence committed against any enactment so repealed; or (e) affect any investigation, legal proceeding or remedy in respect of any such right, privilege, obligation, liability, penalty, fine, forfeiture or Interpretation Law (1995 Revision) punishment as aforesaid; and any such investigation, legal proceedings or remedy may be instituted, continued, or enforced, and any such penalty, fine, forfeiture or punishment may be imposed as if the repealing Law had not been passed.\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_26\", \"num\": \"26.\", \"text\": \"Effect of repeal and re-enactment of regulation making section 26. Where any section conferring a power to make regulations is repealed (whether before or after the coming into operation of this Law) and other provisions, which include a power to make regulations, are substituted therefor, but the Law of which such section formed a part is not itself repealed, then all regulations made under the repealed section and in force at the time of such repeal, shall continue good and valid as if made under substituted provisions insofar as they are not inconsistent with the Law as amended. Provisions as to regulations\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_27\", \"num\": \"27.\", \"text\": \"Provisions as to making of regulations 27. Where a Law confers power on any authority to make or issue regulations, the following provisions shall, unless the contrary intention appears, have effect with reference to the making, issue and operation of such regulations \u2014 (a) a regulation may, at any time, be amended, varied, suspended, rescinded or revoked by the same authority and in the same manner by and in which it was made; (b) the regulations may provide in respect of a breach of any of the provisions thereof that the offender shall, unless the Law otherwise provides, be liable to such fine not exceeding one thousand dollars, or to such term of imprisonment with hard labour not exceeding twelve months, or to both such fine and imprisonment, as may be therein prescribed; (c) where any Law confers power on any authority to make regulations for any general purpose, and also for any special purposes incidental thereto, the enumeration of the special purposes shall not be deemed to derogate from the generality of the powers conferred with reference to the general purpose; (d) no regulation shall be inconsistent with the provisions of any Law; (e) any breach of any regulation may, unless the Law otherwise provides, be prosecuted in a summary manner; and (f) any reference in any regulation to \u201cthe Law\u201d shall be read and construed as meaning the Law conferring the power to make or issue such regulations. Interpretation Law\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_28\", \"num\": \"28.\", \"text\": \"Definitions for legislative purposes 28. (l) In this section the expression \u201cstatutory period\u201d means, in relation to any regulations, a period of twenty-one days beginning on the day on which the regulations were laid before the Legislative Assembly and reckoned without regard to \u2014 (a) any period during which the Legislative Assembly is dissolved or prorogued; (b) any period during which the Legislative Assembly is adjourned for more than six days; or (c) whether the days are comprised \u2014 (i) in one or more than one Session of the Legislative Assembly; or (ii) partly in a Session of the Legislative Assembly which is dissolved and partly in a Session of the succeeding Legislative Assembly. (2) The expression \u201csubject to affirmative resolution\u201d when used in relation to any regulations shall mean that those regulations are not to come into operation unless and until affirmed by a resolution of the Legislative Assembly. (3) The expression \u201csubject to negative resolution\u201d when used in relation to any regulations shall mean that those regulations, as soon as may be after they are made, are to be laid before the Legislative Assembly, and if the Legislative Assembly within the statutory period next after any such regulations have been so laid resolves that the regulations be annulled, the regulations shall be void as from the date of the resolution, but without prejudice to the validity of anything done thereunder or to the making of new regulations.\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_29\", \"num\": \"29.\", \"text\": \"Commencement and proof of regulations 29. (l) All regulations made under any Law or other lawful authority and having legislative effect shall be published in the Gazette and unless it be otherwise provided shall take effect and come into operation as law on the date of such publication. (2) The production of a copy of the Gazette containing any regulations shall be prima facie evidence in all courts and for all purposes of the due making and tenor of such regulations.\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_30\", \"num\": \"30.\", \"text\": \"Acts done under regulations deemed done under Law 30. An act shall be deemed to be done under a Law by virtue of the powers conferred by a Law or in pursuance or execution of the powers of, or under the authority of, a Law if it is done under or by virtue of or in pursuance of any regulation made or issued under any power contained in such Law. Interpretation Law (1995 Revision) Provisions as to powers\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_31\", \"num\": \"31.\", \"text\": \"Exercise of powers between passing and commencement of Law 31. Where any Law is not to come into operation immediately on the passing thereof, and confers powers to make any appointment, or to make, grant or issue any regulations or instruments, or to do any other thing for the purpose of the Law, that power may, unless the contrary intention appears, be exercised at any time after the passing of the Law, so far as may be necessary or expedient for the purpose of bringing the Law into operation at the date of the commencement thereof, subject to the restriction that any regulations or instrument made, granted or issued under the power shall not, unless the contrary intention appears in the Law, or the regulations or instruments are necessary for bringing the Law into operation, have any effect until the Law comes into operation.\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_32\", \"num\": \"32.\", \"text\": \"Construction of provisions as to exercise of powers, etc. 32. (1) Where any Law confers a power or imposes a duty, then, unless the contrary intention appears, the power may be exercised and the duty shall be performed from time to time as occasion requires. (2) Where any Law confers a power or imposes a duty on the holder of an office as such, then, unless the contrary intention appears, the power may be exercised and the duty shall be performed by the holder for the time being of the office or by a person appointed to act for him.\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_33\", \"num\": \"33.\", \"text\": \"Power to appoint includes power to suspend or dismiss 33. Where by or under any Law a power to make any appointment is conferred, then, unless the contrary intention appears, the authority having power to make the appointment shall also have power to remove, suspend, re-appoint or reinstate any person appointed in exercise of the power.\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_34\", \"num\": \"34.\", \"text\": \"Power to fill vacancy temporarily 34. Where, by or under any Law, any powers are conferred or any duties are imposed upon a public officer, the Governor may direct, if from any cause the office of such public officer is vacant or if during any period, owing to absence or inability to act from illness or any other cause, such public officer is unable to exercise the powers or perform the duties of his office, that such powers shall be had and may be exercised and such duties shall be performed by the person named by, or by the public officer holding the office designated by, the Governor; and thereupon such person or public officer, during any such period, shall have and may exercise such powers and shall perform such duties, subject to such conditions, exceptions and qualifications as the Governor may direct. Interpretation Law\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_35\", \"num\": \"35.\", \"text\": \"Power to make overlapping appointments 35. Where the provisions of any Law either expressly or by implication limit the number of persons who may at any time be appointed to or hold an office, such provisions shall not, if any substantive holder of the office is on leave of absence pending relinquishment of office, prevent the substantive appointment of another person to such office or the discharge by such other person of the functions of the office; and, if such an appointment is made the fact that temporarily there is more than one holder of such office shall not prevent both the period of leave of the retiring holder of the office and the period of service of his successor during such leave from being treated as pensionable service for the purposes of any Law permitting the grant of retiring benefits in respect of service in such office.\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_36\", \"num\": \"36.\", \"text\": \"Power to appoint chairman 36. Where, under any Law, power is given to the Governor in Council, to the Governor or to any public officer or body to appoint any board, tribunal, commission, committee or similar body, it shall be lawful for the Governor in Council, the Governor or such public officer or body, in the absence of any provision to the contrary, to appoint a chairman of such board, tribunal, commission, committee or similar body.\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_37\", \"num\": \"37.\", \"text\": \"Power to appoint by official designation 37. Where, by or under any Law, the Governor in Council, the Governor or any public officer or body is empowered to appoint or name a person to be a member of any board, tribunal, commission, committee or similar body, or to have and exercise any powers or perform any duties, the Governor in Council, the Governor or such public officer or body may either appoint a person by name or direct the person for the time being holding the office designated by the Governor in Council, the Governor or such public officer or body to be a member of such board, tribunal, commission, committee or similar body or to have and exercise such powers and perform such duties; and thereupon, or from the date specified by the Governor in Council, the Governor or such public officer or body, the person appointed by name or the person for the time being holding such office shall be a member of such board, tribunal, commission, committee or similar body, or shall have and may exercise such powers and perform such duties accordingly.\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_38\", \"num\": \"38.\", \"text\": \"Construction of enabling words 38. Where, in any Law, power is given to any person to do or enforce the doing of any act or thing, all such powers shall be understood to be also given as are reasonably necessary to enable the person to do or enforce the doing of the act or thing. Interpretation Law (1995 Revision)\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_39\", \"num\": \"39.\", \"text\": \"Powers of Governor to delegate authority 39. When, by any Law, the Governor is empowered to exercise any powers or perform any duties, he may, unless by law expressly prohibited from so doing, depute any person by name, or the person for the time being holding the office designated by him, to exercise such powers or perform such duties on his behalf, subject to such conditions, exceptions and qualifications as the Governor may direct; and thereupon, or from the date specified by the Governor, the person so deputed shall have and exercise such powers and perform such duties subject as aforesaid: Provided that nothing herein contained shall authorise the Governor to depute any person to hear any appeal or to make regulations under the power in that behalf conferred upon him by any Law. Provisions as to Imperial Acts and Orders in Council\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_40\", \"num\": \"40.\", \"text\": \"English Laws in force in the Islands 40. All such laws and Statutes of England as were, prior to the commencement of 1 George II Cap. 1, esteemed, introduced, used, accepted or received as laws in the Islands shall continue to be laws in the Islands save in so far as any such laws or Statutes have been, or may be, repealed or amended by any Law of the Islands.\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_41\", \"num\": \"41.\", \"text\": \"Reference in Law to provision of Imperial Act 41. Where, in any Law, reference is made to any provision of an Imperial Act or Order in Council and that provision is subsequently repealed and re-enacted without substantial modification, the reference in such Law to the provision of the Act or Order in Council so repealed shall, if the context so requires and unless the contrary intention appears, be construed as a reference to the provision so re-enacted.\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_42\", \"num\": \"42.\", \"text\": \"Imperial Acts, etc., to be read with necessary modifications 42. Whenever any Imperial Act is extended or applied to the Islands, such Act shall be read with such formal alterations as to names, localities, courts, officers, persons, moneys, penalties and otherwise as may be to make it applicable to the circumstances. Provisions as to penalties\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_43\", \"num\": \"43.\", \"text\": \"Statement of penalty means maximum penalty 43. Where any fine or penalty is imposed by or under the authority of any Law it shall be implied that the amount of such fine or penalty is the maximum amount; and where by any Law any person may be sentenced to any term of imprisonment it shall be implied that such term of imprisonment is the maximum term. Interpretation Law\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_44\", \"num\": \"44.\", \"text\": \"Penalty at foot of section indicates maximum penalty for contravention of 44. Where in any Law any fine, penalty or term of imprisonment is set out at the foot of any section it shall indicate that any contravention of the section, whether by act or omission, shall be an offence against that Law and shall, unless the contrary intention appears, be punishable by a fine, penalty or term of imprisonment not exceeding the amount or term stated.\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_45\", \"num\": \"45.\", \"text\": \"Payment of portion of penalty by direction of Governor 45. Subject to the express provisions of any Law, where any fine or penalty is imposed by or under the authority of any Law, every such fine or penalty shall be payable into the general revenues of the Islands, but the Governor in Council may direct the payment to any aggrieved person, or to any person whose information or evidence has led to the conviction of the offender or to the recovery of the fine or penalty, of such proportion of the fine or penalty as he may think fit.\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_46\", \"num\": \"46.\", \"text\": \"Disposal of forfeits 46. (1) Where, under any Law, any animal or thing is adjudged by any court or other authority to be forfeited, it shall, unless the contrary is otherwise provided or unless it is expressed by law to be forfeited to any person, be forfeited to the Crown, and the net proceeds thereof, if it is ordered by competent authority to be sold, shall be paid into the general revenues of the Islands, unless other provision is made. (2) Nothing in this section shall affect any provision in any Law whereby any portion of any fine or forfeit or of the proceeds of any forfeit is expressed to be recoverable by any person or may be granted by any authority to any person.\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_47\", \"num\": \"47.\", \"text\": \"Imposition of penalty not to bar civil action 47. The imposition of a penalty or fine by any Law, in the absence of express provision to the contrary, shall not relieve any person from liability to answer for damages to a person injured. Provisions as to offences\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_48\", \"num\": \"48.\", \"text\": \"Provision as to offences under two or more Laws 48. Where any act or omission constitutes an offence under two or more Laws, or both under a Law and under the common law, the offender shall, unless the contrary intention appears, be liable to be prosecuted and punished under either or any of those Laws or under the common law, but shall not be liable to be punished twice for the same offence. Interpretation Law (1995 Revision)\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_49\", \"num\": \"49.\", \"text\": \"Attempt to commit an offence to be deemed an offence 49. A provision which constitutes an offence shall, unless the contrary intention appears, be deemed to provide also that an attempt to commit such offence shall be an offence against such provision, punishable as if the offence itself had been committed.\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_50\", \"num\": \"50.\", \"text\": \"Remission of penalties 50. It shall be lawful for the Governor in the name of Her Majesty to remit in whole or in part any sum of money which under any Law may be imposed as a penalty, fine or forfeiture on a convicted offender, although such money may be in whole or in part payable to some person other than the Crown, and to extend the Royal mercy to any person who may be imprisoned for non-payment of any sum of money so imposed, although such sum may be in whole or in part payable to some person other than the Crown. Miscellaneous\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_51\", \"num\": \"51.\", \"text\": \"Change in title of public office, etc. 51. Whenever any change in title of any public office or department, branch, agency or organ of Government occurs, the Governor, if occasion requires, may by notice in the Gazette declare that such change of title shall take effect from a date specified in such notice, and, with effect from such date, any reference in any Law to the former title of such office or department, branch, agency or organ of Government shall be read and construed as a reference to that office or department, branch, agency or organ of Government by such new title as the Governor may declare in such notice.\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_52\", \"num\": \"52.\", \"text\": \"Appointment to statutory public office 52. Notwithstanding the provisions of this or any other Law, where provision is made in a law for a public officer to be appointed to an office under that Law which involves the exercise of functions, powers or duties pursuant to any Law or regulations and where no such appointment of such person has been made under that Law prior to the date when an appointment was made to such public office, the person appointed to such public office shall, for the purposes of any such Law or regulations, be deemed to have been appointed under that Law on the date when he was appointed to such public office. Interpretation Law\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_53\", \"num\": \"53.\", \"text\": \"Meaning of service by post. 53. Where any Law authorises or requires any document to be served by post, whether the expression \u201cserve\u201d, \u201cgive\u201d, \u201csend\u201d or any other expression is used, then, unless a contrary intention appears, the service shall be deemed to be effected by properly addressing, prepaying and posting a letter containing the document, and, unless the contrary is proved, to have been effected at the time at which the letter would be delivered in the ordinary course of post.\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_54\", \"num\": \"54.\", \"text\": \"Signification of orders of Governor 54. Where power is given to the Governor or Governor in Council to make regulations, it shall be sufficient, unless it is otherwise expressed, for such regulations to be signified under the hand of the Clerk of the Executive Council: Provided that any proclamation, warrant, or other instrument issued under the Public Seal shall be issued under the hand of the Governor himself.\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_55\", \"num\": \"55.\", \"text\": \"Power of majority 55. Save as is otherwise expressly provided by any Law, whenever any act or thing is required to be done by more than two persons, a majority of them may do it.\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_56\", \"num\": \"56.\", \"text\": \"Division of Law into Parts 56. Where any Law is divided into Parts, Titles or other divisions, the fact and particulars of such division shall with or without express mention thereof in any Law, be taken notice of in all courts and for all other purposes whatsoever.\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_57\", \"num\": \"57.\", \"text\": \"Construction of preamble and Schedules to Law 57. (1) The preamble of any Law may be referred to for assistance in explaining the scope and object of the Law. (2) Every Schedule or Table to any Law, or part of any Law, shall, together with any notes thereto, be construed and have effect as part of the Law.\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_58\", \"num\": \"58.\", \"text\": \"Deviations in forms 58. Whenever forms are prescribed in any Law, slight deviations therefrom, not affecting the substance or calculated to mislead, shall not invalidate them.\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_59\", \"num\": \"59.\", \"text\": \"Construction of amending Law with amended Law 59. Where one Law amends another Law the amending Law shall, so far as it is consistent with the tenor thereof, and unless the contrary intention appears, be construed as one with the amended Law. Interpretation Law (1995 Revision)\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_60\", \"num\": \"60.\", \"text\": \"Reprint of amended Laws 60. When any Law is amended it shall be lawful for any person with the authority of the Governor to print copies of the Law with all the necessary additions, omissions, substitutions and amendments effected by the amending Law or Laws and such copies shall be deemed to be authentic copies of the Law so amended.\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_61\", \"num\": \"61.\", \"text\": \"Notification of enactment and sale of regulations, etc. 61. Where any regulation or other instrument of a public character is required either expressly or by implication to be published or notified in the Gazette, a Government Notice that such regulation or other instrument has been made and of the place where copies thereof can be purchased or perused shall be sufficient compliance with such requirement.\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_62\", \"num\": \"62.\", \"text\": \"Evidence of signature of Governor 62. Whenever the fiat of the Governor is necessary before any prosecution or action is commenced, any document purporting to bear the fiat of the Governor shall be received as prima facie evidence in any proceeding without proof being given that the signature to such fiat is that of the Governor.\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_63\", \"num\": \"63.\", \"text\": \"Saving of rights of the Crown\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}, {\"eId\": \"sec_64\", \"num\": \"64.\", \"text\": \"63. No Law shall in any manner whatsoever affect the right of the Crown, unless it is therein expressly stated, or unless it appears by necessary implication, that the Crown is bound thereby. 64. Law binding on Crown 64. This Law shall be binding on the Crown. Publication in consolidated and revised form authorised by the Governor in Council this 7th day of February, 1995. Carmena H. Parsons Acting Clerk of Executive Council\", \"element\": \"section\", \"heading\": null}], \"meta\": {\"notes\": null, \"workflow\": null, \"lifecycle\": {\"source\": \"#cilegis\", \"eventRef\": [{\"eId\": \"e_commence_1995_01_01\", \"date\": \"1995-01-01\", \"type\": \"generation\", \"source\": \"#cilegis\"}]}, \"references\": {\"source\": \"#canary\", \"TLCRole\": [], \"TLCEvent\": [{\"eId\": \"ev_commencement\", \"href\": \"\/akn\/ontology\/canary\/event\/commencement\", \"showAs\": \"commencement\"}], \"TLCPerson\": [], \"TLCConcept\": [{\"eId\": \"inForce\", \"href\": \"\/akn\/ontology\/canary\/concept\/temporal\/in-force\", \"showAs\": \"in force\"}], \"TLCProcess\": [], \"TLCLocation\": [], \"TLCOrganization\": [{\"eId\": \"cilegis\", \"href\": \"\/akn\/ontology\/canary\/organization\/editor\/cilegis\", \"showAs\": \"Cayman Islands legislation mirror (kyleg)\"}]}, \"temporalData\": {\"source\": \"#cilegis\", \"temporalGroup\": [{\"eId\": \"tg_inforce_1995_01_01\", \"timeInterval\": [{\"end\": null, \"start\": \"#e_commence_1995_01_01\", \"duration\": null, \"refersTo\": \"#inForce\"}]}]}, \"classification\": null, \"identification\": {\"source\": \"#cilegis\", \"FRBRWork\": {\"FRBRuri\": \"\/akn\/ky\/act\/1963\/17\", \"FRBRdate\": [{\"date\": \"1995-01-01\", \"name\": \"generation\"}], \"FRBRthis\": \"\/akn\/ky\/act\/1963\/17\/!main\", \"FRBRalias\": [{\"name\": \"cmsId\", \"value\": \"1963-0017\"}], \"FRBRauthor\": [{\"as\": \"#editor\", \"href\": \"\/akn\/ontology\/canary\/organization\/editor\/cilegis\"}], \"FRBRnumber\": \"17 of 1963\", \"FRBRcountry\": \"ky\", \"FRBRsubtype\": \"principal\"}, \"FRBRExpression\": {\"FRBRuri\": \"\/akn\/ky\/act\/1963\/17\/eng@1995-01-01\", \"FRBRdate\": [{\"date\": \"1995-01-01\", \"name\": \"generation\"}], \"FRBRthis\": \"\/akn\/ky\/act\/1963\/17\/eng@1995-01-01\/!main\", \"FRBRauthor\": [{\"as\": \"#editor\", \"href\": \"\/akn\/ontology\/canary\/organization\/editor\/cilegis\"}], \"FRBRlanguage\": \"eng\"}, \"FRBRManifestation\": {\"FRBRuri\": \"\/akn\/ky\/act\/1963\/17\/eng@1995-01-01.xml\", \"FRBRdate\": [{\"date\": \"2026-06-22\", \"name\": \"generation\"}], \"FRBRthis\": \"\/akn\/ky\/act\/1963\/17\/eng@1995-01-01.xml\", \"FRBRauthor\": [{\"as\": \"#editor\", \"href\": \"\/akn\/ontology\/canary\/organization\/editor\/cilegis\"}], \"FRBRformat\": \"application\/xml\"}}}, \"name\": \"act\", \"header\": {\"title\": \"Interpretation Act\", \"actNumber\": \"17 of 1963\", \"longTitle\": null}}, \"doc\": null, \"bill\": null, \"judgment\": null}}","akn_full_text":"CAYMAN ISLANDS\n\nINTERPRETATION LAW\n(CAP. 70)\n(1995 Revision)\nSupplement No. 5 published with Gazette No. 6 of 20th March, 1995.\n\nPage 2\nRevised as at 7th day of February, 1995\nc\n\nPUBLISHING DETAILS\nConsolidated with Laws 8 of 1975 (part), 10 of 1975 (part), 15 of 1983, 6 of 1985, 1 of\n1987 and 20 of 1990 (part).\n\nRevised under the authority of the Law Revision Law (19 of 1975).\n\nOriginally enacted-\n\nCap. 70 (as Law 17 of 1963)-12th December, 1963\nLaw 8 of 1975-3rd September, 1975\nLaw 10 of 1975-3rd September, 1975\nLaw 15 of 1983-21st June, 1983\nLaw 6 of 1985-25th March, 1985\nLaw 1 of 1987-25th February, 1987\nLaw 20 of 1990-6th September, 1990.\n\nConsolidated and revised this 7th day of February, 1995.\n\nInterpretation Law (1995 Revision)\nArrangement of Sections\n\nc\nRevised as at 7th day of February, 1995\nPage 3\n\nCAYMAN ISLANDS\n\nINTERPRETATION LAW\n(1995 Revision)\nArrangement of Sections\nSection\nPage\nPreliminary\n7\n1.\nShort title ...................................................................................................................................7\n2.\nDefinition ...................................................................................................................................7\n\nGeneral principles of interpretation\n7\n3.\nInterpretation of terms applicable generally ................................................................................7\n4.\nGeneral interpretation of gender and number........................................................................... 12\n5.\nReferences to public officers by title of office ........................................................................... 12\n6.\nReferences to the Crown ......................................................................................................... 12\n7.\nReferences to time means standard time; power to declare standard time ............................... 12\n8.\nComputation of time ................................................................................................................. 12\n9.\nProvisions where no time prescribed ....................................................................................... 13\n10.\nMeasurement of distances ....................................................................................................... 13\n11.\nReferences to the number of a line .......................................................................................... 13\n12.\nDefinitions subject to context and to apply to regulations, etc. .................................................. 13\n\nCommencement and citation of Laws\n13\n13.\nAuthenticated copy and assent to Bills ..................................................................................... 13\n14.\nNotification of assent to be published ....................................................................................... 14\n15.\nCommencement of Law on publication of assent, etc............................................................... 14\n16.\nMoment when Law or regulations comes into operation ........................................................... 14\n17.\nLaws to be public Laws and judicially noticed .......................................................................... 14\n18.\nSections to be substantive enactments .................................................................................... 14\n19.\nMode of citing Laws ................................................................................................................. 15\n20.\nReferences in Laws ................................................................................................................. 15\n\nArrangement of Sections\nInterpretation Law\n\nPage 4\nRevised as at 7th day of February, 1995\nc\n\n21.\nCollective titles......................................................................................................................... 15\n22.\nWords to be included in citation of portion of Law. ................................................................... 16\n\nProvisions as to repeals\n16\n23.\nRepeal of a repealing enactment ............................................................................................. 16\n24.\nRepeal and substitution ........................................................................................................... 16\n25.\nEffect of repeal ........................................................................................................................ 16\n26.\nEffect of repeal and re-enactment of regulation making section ............................................... 17\n\nProvisions as to regulations\n17\n27.\nProvisions as to making of regulations ..................................................................................... 17\n28.\nDefinitions for legislative purposes ........................................................................................... 18\n29.\nCommencement and proof of regulations ................................................................................ 18\n30.\nActs done under regulations deemed done under Law ............................................................ 18\n\nProvisions as to powers\n19\n31.\nExercise of powers between passing and commencement of Law ........................................... 19\n32.\nConstruction of provisions as to exercise of powers, etc. ......................................................... 19\n33.\nPower to appoint includes power to suspend or dismiss .......................................................... 19\n34.\nPower to fill vacancy temporarily .............................................................................................. 19\n35.\nPower to make overlapping appointments ............................................................................... 20\n36.\nPower to appoint chairman ...................................................................................................... 20\n37.\nPower to appoint by official designation ................................................................................... 20\n38.\nConstruction of enabling words ................................................................................................ 20\n39.\nPowers of Governor to delegate authority ................................................................................ 21\n\nProvisions as to Imperial Acts and Orders in Council\n21\n40.\nEnglish Laws in force in the Islands ......................................................................................... 21\n41.\nReference in Law to provision of Imperial Act .......................................................................... 21\n42.\nImperial Acts, etc., to be read with necessary modifications ..................................................... 21\n\nProvisions as to penalties\n21\n43.\nStatement of penalty means maximum penalty ........................................................................ 21\n44.\nPenalty at foot of section indicates maximum penalty for contravention of section ................... 22\n45.\nPayment of portion of penalty by direction of Governor ............................................................ 22\n46.\nDisposal of forfeits ................................................................................................................... 22\n47.\nImposition of penalty not to bar civil action ............................................................................... 22\n\nProvisions as to offences\n22\n48.\nProvision as to offences under two or more Laws .................................................................... 22\n49.\nAttempt to commit an offence to be deemed an offence........................................................... 23\n50.\nRemission of penalties ............................................................................................................. 23\n\nMiscellaneous\n23\n51.\nChange in title of public office, etc............................................................................................ 23\n52.\nAppointment to statutory public office ...................................................................................... 23\n53.\nMeaning of service by post. ..................................................................................................... 24\n54.\nSignification of orders of Governor ........................................................................................... 24\n\nInterpretation Law (1995 Revision)\nArrangement of Sections\n\nc\nRevised as at 7th day of February, 1995\nPage 5\n\n55.\nPower of majority ..................................................................................................................... 24\n56.\nDivision of Law into Parts ......................................................................................................... 24\n57.\nConstruction of preamble and Schedules to Law ..................................................................... 24\n58.\nDeviations in forms .................................................................................................................. 24\n59.\nConstruction of amending Law with amended Law .................................................................. 24\n60.\nReprint of amended Laws ........................................................................................................ 25\n61.\nNotification of enactment and sale of regulations, etc. ............................................................. 25\n62.\nEvidence of signature of Governor ........................................................................................... 25\n63.\nSaving of rights of the Crown ................................................................................................... 25\n64.\nLaw binding on Crown ............................................................................................................. 25\n\nInterpretation Law (1995 Revision)\nSection 1\n\nc\nRevised as at 7th day of February, 1995\nPage 7\n\nCAYMAN ISLANDS\n\nINTERPRETATION LAW\n(1995 Revision)\nENACTED by the Legislature of the Cayman Islands.\nPreliminary\n1.\nShort title\n1.\nThis Law may be cited as the Interpretation Law (1995 Revision).\n2.\nDefinition\n2.\nIn this Law \u2014\n\u201cLaw\u201d means any Law and any regulations made thereunder, and any\nprerogative Order of the Sovereign in Council applicable exclusively to the\nIslands, whether enacted before or after the commencement of this Law.\nGeneral principles of interpretation\n3.\nInterpretation of terms applicable generally\n3.\n(1) In this Law and in all Orders in Council, Laws, proclamations, regulations,\nrules, bye-laws, orders, directions, notices, forms and other instruments of a\npublic character relating to the Islands, now in force or hereafter to be made,\nthe following words and expressions shall have the meanings hereby assigned\nto them respectively, unless there is something in the subject or context\ninconsistent with such construction, or unless it is therein otherwise expressly\nprovided \u2014\n\nSection 3\nInterpretation Law\n\nPage 8\nRevised as at 7th day of February, 1995\nc\n\n\u201cAct\u201d used with reference to legislation includes an Act of the Imperial\nParliament;\n\u201cact\u201d used with reference to an offence or civil wrong, includes a series of\nacts, and words which refer to acts done extend to illegal omissions;\n\u201caffidavit\u201d includes any document in relation to which an affirmation or\ndeclaration has been made by any person allowed by law to affirm or to\ndeclare instead of swearing;\n\u201cBritish possession\u201d means any British Dependent Territory, Colony or\nprotectorate, or any protected state, or any territory in respect of which a\nMandate is being exercised by Her Majesty\u2019s Government in the United\nKingdom or the Government of any part of Her Majesty\u2019s dominions;\n\u201cChristian name\u201d means any name prefixed to a surname, whether received\nin Christian baptism or otherwise;\n\u201ccoin\u201d means any coin legally current in the Islands;\n\u201ccommencement\u201d, used with reference to a Law, means the time at which the\nLaw comes into operation;\n\u201ccommon law\u201d means the common law of England;\n\u201cconstable\u201d means any officer, sub-officer or member of the Royal Cayman\nIslands Police Force;\n\u201cconsul\u201d or \u201cconsular officer\u201d includes Consul-General, Consul, ViceConsul, Consular Agent and any person for the time being authorised to\ndischarge the duties of a Consul-General, Consul or Vice-Consul;\n\u201ccontravene\u201d, in relation to any requirement or condition prescribed in any\nLaw, or in any permit, licence or other authority granted under any law,\nincludes a failure to comply with that requirement or condition;\n\u201ccourt\u201d means any court of the Islands of competent jurisdiction;\n\u201ccourt of summary jurisdiction\u201d means a court established by section 3 of\nthe Summary Jurisdiction Law [Law 10 of 1975];\n\u201cCrown Agents\u201d means the persons for the time being acting as Crown\nAgents for Overseas Governments and Administrations in England, or any\nof them;\n\u201cDependent Territory\u201d or \u201cColony\u201d, used with reference to any place other\nthan the Islands, includes a British Protectorate or protected state and any\nterritory under British mandate;\n\u201cfinancial year\u201d means the twelve months ending the 31st December in\nany year;\n\u201cGazette\u201d means a Government Notice;\n\u201cgazetted\u201d means published by Government Notice;\n\u201cGovernment\u201d means the Government of the Islands;\n\nInterpretation Law (1995 Revision)\nSection 3\n\nc\nRevised as at 7th day of February, 1995\nPage 9\n\n\u201cGovernor\u201d means the person for the time being holding the office of\nGovernor of the Islands, and includes any person for the time being lawfully\nperforming the functions of that office under section 1 of Schedule 2 to the\nCayman Islands (Constitution) Orders 1972 to 1993 [U.K.S.I.\u2019S 1972\/1101;\n1984\/126;1987\/2199, 1992\/226 and 1993\/3143], and to the extent to which a\nDeputy appointed under section 4 of Schedule 2 to the Cayman Islands\n(Constitution) Orders 1972 to 1993 is authorised to act, that Deputy;\n\u201cGovernor in Council\u201d means the Governor acting in accordance with the\nadvice of the Executive Council of the Islands;\n\u201cGrand Court\u201d means the Grand Court constituted under section 49H of\nSchedule 2 to the Cayman Islands (Constitution) Orders 1972 to 1993;\n\u201cHis Majesty\u201d, \u201cHer Majesty\u201d, \u201cthe King\u201d, \u201cthe Queen\u201d or \u201cthe Crown\u201d\nmeans His Majesty the King or Her Majesty the Queen, the Sovereign for the\ntime being of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the British dominions\nbeyond the seas, and includes the predecessors and the heirs and successors of\nsuch King or Queen;\n\u201chouse\u201d includes every messuage, part of a messuage, house, part of a house,\nbuilding or other construction, whether wholly or in part above or below the\nsurface of the ground, inhabited or occupied either by day or by night by man,\nwhether beneficially or otherwise, or intended to be so inhabited or occupied;\n\u201cImperial Act\u201d means an Act passed by the Imperial Parliament and assented\nto by Her Majesty;\n\u201cImperial Parliament\u201d or \u201cParliament\u201d means the Parliament of the United\nKingdom;\n\u201cthe Islands\u201d means the Cayman Islands;\n\u201ca Justice\u201d or \u201ca Justice of the Peace\u201d means a person appointed by the\nGovernor to be a justice of the peace for the Islands;\n\u201cland\u201d and \u201cpremises\u201d includes all tenements or hereditaments, and also all\nmessuages, houses, buildings or other constructions, whether the property of\nHer Majesty, her heirs or successors, or of any corporation or private\nindividual, except where there are words to exclude houses and other\nbuildings;\n\u201cLaw\u201d includes any Order in Council;\n\u201cMagistrate\u201d has the meaning assigned to it in the Summary Jurisdiction Law\n[Law 10 of 1975];\n\u201coath\u201d includes affirmation or declaration in the case of persons by law\nallowed to affirm or declare instead of swearing;\n\u201cto occupy\u201d includes, in addition to its ordinary signification, to use, inhabit,\npossess or enjoy the premises in respect whereof that verb is used, otherwise\n\nSection 3\nInterpretation Law\n\nPage 10\nRevised as at 7th day of February, 1995\nc\n\nthan as a mere servant and for the mere purpose of the care, custody and\ncharge thereof;\n\u201cOrder in Council\u201d means any prerogative Order of the Sovereign in Council\napplicable exclusively to the Islands;\n\u201cperson\u201d includes any corporation, either aggregate or sole, and any club,\nsociety, association or other body, of one or more persons;\n\u201cprescribed\u201d means prescribed by the Law in which the word occurs or by\nany regulations made thereunder, and, in relation to any regulations, where no\nother authority is empowered in that behalf in the Law, prescribed by the\nGovernor in Council;\n\u201cproclamation\u201d means a proclamation of the Governor under the Public Seal;\n\u201cproperty\u201d includes money, goods, things in action, land and every\ndescription of property, whether real or personal; also obligations, easements\nand every description of estate, interest and profit, present or future, vested or\ncontingent, arising out of or incident to property as above defined;\n\u201cpublic general holiday\u201d means any day which under the provisions of any\nLaw for the time being in force is, is declared to be or is proclaimed as a\npublic general holiday;\n\u201cpublic place\u201d includes every public highway, street, road, square, court,\nalley, lane, bridleway, footway, parade, wharf, jetty, quay, bridge, public\ngarden or open space and every theatre, place of public entertainment of any\nkind or other place of general resort, admission to which is obtained by\npayment, or to which the public have access;\n\u201crecorded\u201d, used with reference to a document, means recorded under the\nprovisions of the Law applicable to the recording of such document;\n\u201cPublic Seal\u201d means the Public Seal of the Islands;\n\u201cregistered\u201d, used with reference to a document, means recorded under the\nprovisions of the Law applicable to the registration of such document;\n\u201cregulations\u201d include rules, bye-laws, proclamations, orders, schemes,\nnotifications, directions, notices and forms;\n\u201crules of court\u201d when used in relation to any court, means rules made by the\nauthority having for the time being power to makes rules or orders regulating\nthe practice and procedure of such court;\n\u201csell\u201d includes exchange and barter;\n\u201cSecretary of State\u201d means one of Her Majesty\u2019s Principal Secretaries of\nState for the time being;\n\u201cship\u201d means every description of vessel used in navigation not exclusively\npropelled by oars;\n\nInterpretation Law (1995 Revision)\nSection 3\n\nc\nRevised as at 7th day of February, 1995\nPage 11\n\n\u201csign\u201d, with reference to a person who is unable to write his name,\nincludes \u201cmark\u201d;\n\u201cStatute\u201d includes an Act of the Imperial Parliament;\n\u201cstreet\u201d or \u201croad\u201d includes any public highway, street, road, thoroughfare,\nsquare, court, alley, lane, bridleway, footway, parade, passage, or open place\nused or frequented by the public, or to which the public have or are permitted\nto have access;\n\u201csummarily\u201d, \u201cin a summary manner\u201d or \u201con summary conviction\u201d means\nrespectively before a court of summary jurisdiction;\n\u201cswear\u201d includes to affirm or to declare in the case of any person allowed by\nlaw to affirm or to declare instead of swearing;\n\u201cUnited Kingdom\u201d means Great Britain and Northern Ireland;\n\u201cvessel\u201d includes any ship, boat, lighter or other floating craft used for\ntransport by water;\n\u201cvoluntary declaration\u201d or \u201cstatutory declaration\u201d if made \u2014\n(a)\nin the Islands means a declaration made under the Voluntary\nDeclarations Law (Revised \u2013 1978 Revision);\n(b) in the United Kingdom or any British possession beyond the Islands\nmeans a declaration made before a justice of the peace, notary public or\nother person having authority therein under any law for the time being in\nforce to take or receive a declaration; and\n(c)\nin any other place, means a declaration made before a British Consul or\nVice-Consul, or before any person having authority under any Act of\nParliament for the time being in force to take or receive a declaration;\n\u201cwill\u201d includes codicil;\n\u201cwriting\u201d includes printing, lithography, typewriting, photography and other\nmodes of representing or reproducing words or figures in visible form; and\n\u201cyear\u201d and \u201cmonth\u201d mean respectively a year or a month reckoned according\nto the British calendar.\n(2) Every local law of the Islands shall be carried out and applied according to the\nplain reading, and not according to any private construction, and any private\nconstruction influencing a decision in any case shall be deemed a sufficient\ncause for appeal or new trial or counter prosecution.\n(3) It is hereby declared that the Cayman Islands are comprised of Grand Cayman,\nCayman Brac and Little Cayman; and any reference in any Law, enactment or\nother instrument of a public nature to the Islands or any of them shall be a\nreference to them or it by name, and by no other designation.\n\nSection 4\nInterpretation Law\n\nPage 12\nRevised as at 7th day of February, 1995\nc\n\n4.\nGeneral interpretation of gender and number\n4.\nIn this Law and in all Laws and other instruments of a public character relating to\nthe Islands now in force or hereafter to be made, unless there is something in the\nsubject or context inconsistent with such construction, or unless it is therein\notherwise expressly provided \u2014\n(a)\nwords importing the masculine gender include females; and\n(b) words in the singular include the plural, and words in the plural include\nthe singular.\n5.\nReferences to public officers by title of office\n5.\nA reference in any Law to any public officer by the usual title of his office shall, if\nthere be such an office customarily in the Islands and unless the contrary intention\nappears, be read and construed as referring to the person for the time being holding\nor carrying out the duties of that office in the Islands.\n6.\nReferences to the Crown\n6.\nIn any Law references to the Sovereign reigning at the time of the passing of the\nLaw or to the Crown shall, unless the contrary appears, be construed as references\nto the Sovereign for the time being.\n7.\nReferences to time means standard time; power to declare standard time\n7.\nWhenever any expression of time occurs in any Law, deed or other legal instrument,\nthe time referred to shall, unless it is otherwise expressly provided, be held to\nsignify the standard time adopted for the Islands; and for such purpose the Governor\nin Council may by order declare the standard time for the Islands.\n8.\nComputation of time\n8.\nIn computing time for the purpose of any Law, unless the contrary intention\nappears \u2014\n(a)\na period of days from the happening of an event or the doing of any act\nor thing shall be deemed to be exclusive of the day in which the event\nhappens or the act or thing is done;\n(b) if the last day of the period is Sunday or a public general holiday (which\ndays are in this section referred to as excluded days) the period shall\ninclude the next following day, not being an excluded day;\n(c)\nwhen any act or proceeding is directed or allowed to be done or taken on\na certain day, then if that day happens to be an excluded day, the act or\nproceeding shall be considered as done or taken in due time if it is done\nor taken on the next day afterwards, not being an excluded day; and\n\nInterpretation Law (1995 Revision)\nSection 9\n\nc\nRevised as at 7th day of February, 1995\nPage 13\n\n(d) when an act or proceeding is directed or allowed to be done or taken\nwithin any time not exceeding six days, excluded days shall not be\nreckoned in the computation of the time.\n9.\nProvisions where no time prescribed\n9.\nWhere no time is prescribed or allowed within which anything shall be done, such\nthing shall be done with all convenient speed, and as often as the prescribed\noccasion arises.\n10.\nMeasurement of distances\n10. In the measurement of any distance for the purpose of any Law, that distance shall,\nunless the contrary intention appears, be measured in a straight line on a horizontal\nplane.\n11.\nReferences to the number of a line\n11. A reference in any Law to the number of a line of any section of any Law means\nsuch line in the latest official printed copy of such Law at the time of the passing of\nthe Law containing such reference.\n12.\nDefinitions subject to context and to apply to regulations, etc.\n12. (1) Where expressions are defined in any Law, such expressions shall have the\nmeanings assigned to them, unless there is anything in the subject or context\nrepugnant to, or inconsistent with, such meaning.\n(2) Where expressions defined in any Law are used in any regulations or\ninstrument made under such Law such expressions shall have the respective\nmeanings assigned to them by the Law, unless there is anything in the subject\nor context repugnant to, or inconsistent with, such meaning.\n(3) Where a word is defined in a Law or any regulations, other parts of speech and\ngrammatical variations of that word, and cognate expressions, shall have\ncorresponding meanings in that Law or those regulations.\nCommencement and citation of Laws\n13.\nAuthenticated copy and assent to Bills\n13. (1) A copy of every Bill which may hereafter be passed by the Legislature of the\nIslands shall immediately after it is so passed be printed by any person\nauthorised by the Governor, on vellum or some durable paper and shall, if\nsuch be the case, be authenticated by the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly as\nbeing a true and correct copy of the Bill which passed.\n(2) Where \u2014\n\nSection 14\nInterpretation Law\n\nPage 14\nRevised as at 7th day of February, 1995\nc\n\n(a)\nthe Governor assents to any Bill so passed, his assent shall be made on\nthe authenticated copy; or\n(b) Her Majesty assents to any Bill so passed, a notification of Her assent\nshall be made on the authenticated copy,\nand in either case one authenticated copy shall then be forwarded to the Clerk\nof the Legislative Assembly, to the Secretary of State and to the authorised\nprinter as aforesaid for the purposes of record.\n14.\nNotification of assent to be published\n14. In the case of every Bill which may hereafter be passed in the Islands, the Governor\nshall, on assenting thereto, or on to receiving official intimation that the Bill has\nbeen duly assented to, cause a notification of such assent to be gazetted.\n15.\nCommencement of Law on publication of assent, etc.\n15. (l)\nEvery Law shall, unless it is otherwise therein expressly provided, come into\noperation on the day of the publication of the notification of assent.\n(2) The date on which a Law comes into operation, whether under the provisions\nof this section or according to the express provisions contained in the Law,\nshall be written on the original of the Law and on all copies thereof in some\nconvenient place.\n16.\nMoment when Law or regulations comes into operation\n16. Where any Law, part of a Law or any regulations made thereunder came or comes\ninto operation on a particular day, it shall be deemed to have come or shall come\ninto operation immediately on the expiration of the day next preceding such day.\n17.\nLaws to be public Laws and judicially noticed\n17. Every Law (which expression in this section does not include regulations) shall be a\npublic Law and shall be judicially noticed as such, unless the contrary is expressly\nprovided by the Law.\n18.\nSections to be substantive enactments\n18. Every section of any Law shall have effect as a substantive enactment without\nintroductory words.\n\nInterpretation Law (1995 Revision)\nSection 19\n\nc\nRevised as at 7th day of February, 1995\nPage 15\n\n19.\nMode of citing Laws\n19. When any Law is referred to, it shall be sufficient for all purposes to cite such Law\neither by the short title (if any) by which it is made citable, or by the year in which it\nwas made and its number among the Laws of that year, or in the case of a revised\nedition of the Laws issued under any Law providing for the issue of a revised\nedition, by its short title or its chapter number; and the reference may in all cases be\nmade according to the copies of Laws printed in England or by any person\nauthorised to print copies by the Governor.\n20.\nReferences in Laws\n20. (1) A reference in a Law by number or letter to a Part, section, subsection,\nparagraph, sub-paragraph or other division of another Law or enactment shall\nbe construed as a reference to such Part, section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph or other division of such other Law or enactment as printed by\nauthority of Law.\n(2) Where in a Law reference is made to a Part, division, section, schedule or form\nwithout anything in the context to indicate that a reference to a Part, division,\nsection, schedule or form of some other Law is intended, the reference shall be\nconstrued as a reference to a Part, division, section, schedule or form of the\nLaw in which the reference is made.\n(3) Where in a section of a Law reference is made to a subsection, paragraph, subparagraph or other division without anything in the context to indicate that a\nreference to a subsection, paragraph, sub-paragraph or other division of some\nother section or provision is intended, the reference shall be construed as a\nreference to a subsection, paragraph, sub-paragraph or other division of the\nsection in which the reference is made.\n(4) Where in a schedule or Part of a schedule to a Law reference is made to a\nparagraph, sub-paragraph or other division without anything in the context to\nindicate that a reference to a paragraph, sub-paragraph or other division of\nsome other provision is intended, the reference shall be construed as a\nreference to the paragraph, sub-paragraph or other division of the schedule or\nthe Part of the schedule to which the reference is made.\n(5) Where in a Law reference is made to any regulations, without anything in the\ncontext to indicate that a reference to regulations made under some other Law\nis intended, the reference shall be construed as a reference to regulations made\nunder the Law in which the reference occurs.\n21.\nCollective titles\n21. If it is provided that any Law may, as to the whole or any part thereof, be cited \u2014\n(a)\nwith any other Law to form a group of Laws; or\n(b) with any group of Laws,\n\nSection 22\nInterpretation Law\n\nPage 16\nRevised as at 7th day of February, 1995\nc\n\nthat group shall be construed as including that Law or part, and the collective\ntitle of the group shall state the year of the first Law in the group and the year\nof last Law in the group; and as often as any subsequent Law is added to that\ngroup the year in which the subsequent Law is passed shall be substituted for\nthe last year of the group.\n22.\nWords to be included in citation of portion of Law.\n22. In any Law a description or citation of a portion of another Law shall, unless the\ncontrary intention appears, be construed as including the word, section or other part\nmentioned or referred to as forming the beginning and as forming the end of the\nportion comprised in the description or citation.\nProvisions as to repeals\n23.\nRepeal of a repealing enactment\n23. Where a Law, whether before or after the commencement of this Law, repeals a\nrepealing enactment, it shall not be construed as reviving any enactment previously\nrepealed, unless words are added reviving that enactment.\n24.\nRepeal and substitution\n24. Where a Law repeals wholly or partially any former Law and substitutes provisions\nfor the Law repealed, the repealed Law shall remain in force until the substituted\nprovisions come into operation.\n25.\nEffect of repeal\n25. (1) Where any Law repeals and re-enacts, with or without modification, any\nprovision of any Law in force, reference in any other Law to the provision so\nrepealed shall, unless the contrary intention appears, be construed as\nreferences to the provisions so re-enacted.\n(2) Where any Law repeals any other enactment, then, unless the contrary\nintention appears, the repeal shall not \u2014\n(a)\nrevive anything not in force or existing at the time at which the repeal\ntakes effect;\n(b) affect the previous operation of any enactment so repealed or anything\nduly done or suffered under any enactment so repealed;\n(c)\naffect any right, privilege, obligation or liability acquired, accrued or\nincurred under any enactment so repealed;\n(d) affect any penalty, fine, forfeiture or punishment incurred in respect of\nany offence committed against any enactment so repealed; or\n(e)\naffect any investigation, legal proceeding or remedy in respect of any\nsuch right, privilege, obligation, liability, penalty, fine, forfeiture or\n\nInterpretation Law (1995 Revision)\nSection 26\n\nc\nRevised as at 7th day of February, 1995\nPage 17\n\npunishment as aforesaid; and any such investigation, legal proceedings or\nremedy may be instituted, continued, or enforced, and any such penalty,\nfine, forfeiture or punishment may be imposed as if the repealing Law\nhad not been passed.\n26.\nEffect of repeal and re-enactment of regulation making section\n26. Where any section conferring a power to make regulations is repealed (whether\nbefore or after the coming into operation of this Law) and other provisions, which\ninclude a power to make regulations, are substituted therefor, but the Law of which\nsuch section formed a part is not itself repealed, then all regulations made under the\nrepealed section and in force at the time of such repeal, shall continue good and\nvalid as if made under substituted provisions insofar as they are not inconsistent\nwith the Law as amended.\nProvisions as to regulations\n27.\nProvisions as to making of regulations\n27. Where a Law confers power on any authority to make or issue regulations, the\nfollowing provisions shall, unless the contrary intention appears, have effect with\nreference to the making, issue and operation of such regulations \u2014\n(a)\na regulation may, at any time, be amended, varied, suspended, rescinded\nor revoked by the same authority and in the same manner by and in\nwhich it was made;\n(b) the regulations may provide in respect of a breach of any of the\nprovisions thereof that the offender shall, unless the Law otherwise\nprovides, be liable to such fine not exceeding one thousand dollars, or to\nsuch term of imprisonment with hard labour not exceeding twelve\nmonths, or to both such fine and imprisonment, as may be therein\nprescribed;\n(c)\nwhere any Law confers power on any authority to make regulations for\nany general purpose, and also for any special purposes incidental thereto,\nthe enumeration of the special purposes shall not be deemed to derogate\nfrom the generality of the powers conferred with reference to the general\npurpose;\n(d) no regulation shall be inconsistent with the provisions of any Law;\n(e)\nany breach of any regulation may, unless the Law otherwise provides, be\nprosecuted in a summary manner; and\n(f)\nany reference in any regulation to \u201cthe Law\u201d shall be read and construed\nas meaning the Law conferring the power to make or issue such\nregulations.\n\nSection 28\nInterpretation Law\n\nPage 18\nRevised as at 7th day of February, 1995\nc\n\n28.\nDefinitions for legislative purposes\n28. (l)\nIn this section the expression \u201cstatutory period\u201d means, in relation to any\nregulations, a period of twenty-one days beginning on the day on which the\nregulations were laid before the Legislative Assembly and reckoned without\nregard to \u2014\n(a)\nany period during which the Legislative Assembly is dissolved or\nprorogued;\n(b) any period during which the Legislative Assembly is adjourned for more\nthan six days; or\n(c)\nwhether the days are comprised \u2014\n(i)\nin one or more than one Session of the Legislative Assembly; or\n(ii) partly in a Session of the Legislative Assembly which is dissolved\nand partly in a Session of the succeeding Legislative Assembly.\n(2) The expression \u201csubject to affirmative resolution\u201d when used in relation to\nany regulations shall mean that those regulations are not to come into\noperation unless and until affirmed by a resolution of the Legislative\nAssembly.\n(3) The expression \u201csubject to negative resolution\u201d when used in relation to any\nregulations shall mean that those regulations, as soon as may be after they are\nmade, are to be laid before the Legislative Assembly, and if the Legislative\nAssembly within the statutory period next after any such regulations have been\nso laid resolves that the regulations be annulled, the regulations shall be void\nas from the date of the resolution, but without prejudice to the validity of\nanything done thereunder or to the making of new regulations.\n29.\nCommencement and proof of regulations\n29. (l)\nAll regulations made under any Law or other lawful authority and having\nlegislative effect shall be published in the Gazette and unless it be otherwise\nprovided shall take effect and come into operation as law on the date of such\npublication.\n(2) The production of a copy of the Gazette containing any regulations shall be\nprima facie evidence in all courts and for all purposes of the due making and\ntenor of such regulations.\n30.\nActs done under regulations deemed done under Law\n30. An act shall be deemed to be done under a Law by virtue of the powers conferred\nby a Law or in pursuance or execution of the powers of, or under the authority of, a\nLaw if it is done under or by virtue of or in pursuance of any regulation made or\nissued under any power contained in such Law.\n\nInterpretation Law (1995 Revision)\nSection 31\n\nc\nRevised as at 7th day of February, 1995\nPage 19\n\nProvisions as to powers\n31.\nExercise of powers between passing and commencement of Law\n31. Where any Law is not to come into operation immediately on the passing thereof,\nand confers powers to make any appointment, or to make, grant or issue any\nregulations or instruments, or to do any other thing for the purpose of the Law, that\npower may, unless the contrary intention appears, be exercised at any time after the\npassing of the Law, so far as may be necessary or expedient for the purpose of\nbringing the Law into operation at the date of the commencement thereof, subject to\nthe restriction that any regulations or instrument made, granted or issued under the\npower shall not, unless the contrary intention appears in the Law, or the regulations\nor instruments are necessary for bringing the Law into operation, have any effect\nuntil the Law comes into operation.\n32.\nConstruction of provisions as to exercise of powers, etc.\n32. (1) Where any Law confers a power or imposes a duty, then, unless the contrary\nintention appears, the power may be exercised and the duty shall be performed\nfrom time to time as occasion requires.\n(2) Where any Law confers a power or imposes a duty on the holder of an office\nas such, then, unless the contrary intention appears, the power may be\nexercised and the duty shall be performed by the holder for the time being of\nthe office or by a person appointed to act for him.\n33.\nPower to appoint includes power to suspend or dismiss\n33. Where by or under any Law a power to make any appointment is conferred, then,\nunless the contrary intention appears, the authority having power to make the\nappointment shall also have power to remove, suspend, re-appoint or reinstate any\nperson appointed in exercise of the power.\n34.\nPower to fill vacancy temporarily\n34. Where, by or under any Law, any powers are conferred or any duties are imposed\nupon a public officer, the Governor may direct, if from any cause the office of such\npublic officer is vacant or if during any period, owing to absence or inability to act\nfrom illness or any other cause, such public officer is unable to exercise the powers\nor perform the duties of his office, that such powers shall be had and may be\nexercised and such duties shall be performed by the person named by, or by the\npublic officer holding the office designated by, the Governor; and thereupon such\nperson or public officer, during any such period, shall have and may exercise such\npowers and shall perform such duties, subject to such conditions, exceptions and\nqualifications as the Governor may direct.\n\nSection 35\nInterpretation Law\n\nPage 20\nRevised as at 7th day of February, 1995\nc\n\n35.\nPower to make overlapping appointments\n35. Where the provisions of any Law either expressly or by implication limit the\nnumber of persons who may at any time be appointed to or hold an office, such\nprovisions shall not, if any substantive holder of the office is on leave of absence\npending relinquishment of office, prevent the substantive appointment of another\nperson to such office or the discharge by such other person of the functions of the\noffice; and, if such an appointment is made the fact that temporarily there is more\nthan one holder of such office shall not prevent both the period of leave of the\nretiring holder of the office and the period of service of his successor during such\nleave from being treated as pensionable service for the purposes of any Law\npermitting the grant of retiring benefits in respect of service in such office.\n36.\nPower to appoint chairman\n36. Where, under any Law, power is given to the Governor in Council, to the Governor\nor to any public officer or body to appoint any board, tribunal, commission,\ncommittee or similar body, it shall be lawful for the Governor in Council, the\nGovernor or such public officer or body, in the absence of any provision to the\ncontrary, to appoint a chairman of such board, tribunal, commission, committee or\nsimilar body.\n37.\nPower to appoint by official designation\n37. Where, by or under any Law, the Governor in Council, the Governor or any public\nofficer or body is empowered to appoint or name a person to be a member of any\nboard, tribunal, commission, committee or similar body, or to have and exercise any\npowers or perform any duties, the Governor in Council, the Governor or such public\nofficer or body may either appoint a person by name or direct the person for the\ntime being holding the office designated by the Governor in Council, the Governor\nor such public officer or body to be a member of such board, tribunal, commission,\ncommittee or similar body or to have and exercise such powers and perform such\nduties; and thereupon, or from the date specified by the Governor in Council, the\nGovernor or such public officer or body, the person appointed by name or the\nperson for the time being holding such office shall be a member of such board,\ntribunal, commission, committee or similar body, or shall have and may exercise\nsuch powers and perform such duties accordingly.\n38.\nConstruction of enabling words\n38. Where, in any Law, power is given to any person to do or enforce the doing of any\nact or thing, all such powers shall be understood to be also given as are reasonably\nnecessary to enable the person to do or enforce the doing of the act or thing.\n\nInterpretation Law (1995 Revision)\nSection 39\n\nc\nRevised as at 7th day of February, 1995\nPage 21\n\n39.\nPowers of Governor to delegate authority\n39. When, by any Law, the Governor is empowered to exercise any powers or perform\nany duties, he may, unless by law expressly prohibited from so doing, depute any\nperson by name, or the person for the time being holding the office designated by\nhim, to exercise such powers or perform such duties on his behalf, subject to such\nconditions, exceptions and qualifications as the Governor may direct; and\nthereupon, or from the date specified by the Governor, the person so deputed shall\nhave and exercise such powers and perform such duties subject as aforesaid:\nProvided that nothing herein contained shall authorise the Governor to depute any\nperson to hear any appeal or to make regulations under the power in that behalf\nconferred upon him by any Law.\nProvisions as to Imperial Acts and Orders in Council\n40.\nEnglish Laws in force in the Islands\n40. All such laws and Statutes of England as were, prior to the commencement of 1\nGeorge II Cap. 1, esteemed, introduced, used, accepted or received as laws in the\nIslands shall continue to be laws in the Islands save in so far as any such laws or\nStatutes have been, or may be, repealed or amended by any Law of the Islands.\n41.\nReference in Law to provision of Imperial Act\n41. Where, in any Law, reference is made to any provision of an Imperial Act or Order\nin Council and that provision is subsequently repealed and re-enacted without\nsubstantial modification, the reference in such Law to the provision of the Act or\nOrder in Council so repealed shall, if the context so requires and unless the contrary\nintention appears, be construed as a reference to the provision so re-enacted.\n42.\nImperial Acts, etc., to be read with necessary modifications\n42. Whenever any Imperial Act is extended or applied to the Islands, such Act shall be\nread with such formal alterations as to names, localities, courts, officers, persons,\nmoneys, penalties and otherwise as may be to make it applicable to the\ncircumstances.\nProvisions as to penalties\n43.\nStatement of penalty means maximum penalty\n43. Where any fine or penalty is imposed by or under the authority of any Law it shall\nbe implied that the amount of such fine or penalty is the maximum amount; and\nwhere by any Law any person may be sentenced to any term of imprisonment it\nshall be implied that such term of imprisonment is the maximum term.\n\nSection 44\nInterpretation Law\n\nPage 22\nRevised as at 7th day of February, 1995\nc\n\n44.\nPenalty at foot of section indicates maximum penalty for contravention of\nsection\n44. Where in any Law any fine, penalty or term of imprisonment is set out at the foot of\nany section it shall indicate that any contravention of the section, whether by act or\nomission, shall be an offence against that Law and shall, unless the contrary\nintention appears, be punishable by a fine, penalty or term of imprisonment not\nexceeding the amount or term stated.\n45.\nPayment of portion of penalty by direction of Governor\n45. Subject to the express provisions of any Law, where any fine or penalty is imposed\nby or under the authority of any Law, every such fine or penalty shall be payable\ninto the general revenues of the Islands, but the Governor in Council may direct the\npayment to any aggrieved person, or to any person whose information or evidence\nhas led to the conviction of the offender or to the recovery of the fine or penalty, of\nsuch proportion of the fine or penalty as he may think fit.\n46.\nDisposal of forfeits\n46. (1) Where, under any Law, any animal or thing is adjudged by any court or other\nauthority to be forfeited, it shall, unless the contrary is otherwise provided or\nunless it is expressed by law to be forfeited to any person, be forfeited to the\nCrown, and the net proceeds thereof, if it is ordered by competent authority to\nbe sold, shall be paid into the general revenues of the Islands, unless other\nprovision is made.\n(2) Nothing in this section shall affect any provision in any Law whereby any\nportion of any fine or forfeit or of the proceeds of any forfeit is expressed to be\nrecoverable by any person or may be granted by any authority to any person.\n47.\nImposition of penalty not to bar civil action\n47. The imposition of a penalty or fine by any Law, in the absence of express provision\nto the contrary, shall not relieve any person from liability to answer for damages to\na person injured.\nProvisions as to offences\n48.\nProvision as to offences under two or more Laws\n48. Where any act or omission constitutes an offence under two or more Laws, or both\nunder a Law and under the common law, the offender shall, unless the contrary\nintention appears, be liable to be prosecuted and punished under either or any of\nthose Laws or under the common law, but shall not be liable to be punished twice\nfor the same offence.\n\nInterpretation Law (1995 Revision)\nSection 49\n\nc\nRevised as at 7th day of February, 1995\nPage 23\n\n49.\nAttempt to commit an offence to be deemed an offence\n49. A provision which constitutes an offence shall, unless the contrary intention\nappears, be deemed to provide also that an attempt to commit such offence shall be\nan offence against such provision, punishable as if the offence itself had been\ncommitted.\n50.\nRemission of penalties\n50. It shall be lawful for the Governor in the name of Her Majesty to remit in whole or\nin part any sum of money which under any Law may be imposed as a penalty, fine\nor forfeiture on a convicted offender, although such money may be in whole or in\npart payable to some person other than the Crown, and to extend the Royal mercy to\nany person who may be imprisoned for non-payment of any sum of money so\nimposed, although such sum may be in whole or in part payable to some person\nother than the Crown.\nMiscellaneous\n51.\nChange in title of public office, etc.\n51. Whenever any change in title of any public office or department, branch, agency or\norgan of Government occurs, the Governor, if occasion requires, may by notice in\nthe Gazette declare that such change of title shall take effect from a date specified in\nsuch notice, and, with effect from such date, any reference in any Law to the former\ntitle of such office or department, branch, agency or organ of Government shall be\nread and construed as a reference to that office or department, branch, agency or\norgan of Government by such new title as the Governor may declare in such notice.\n52.\nAppointment to statutory public office\n52. Notwithstanding the provisions of this or any other Law, where provision is made in\na law for a public officer to be appointed to an office under that Law which involves\nthe exercise of functions, powers or duties pursuant to any Law or regulations and\nwhere no such appointment of such person has been made under that Law prior to\nthe date when an appointment was made to such public office, the person appointed\nto such public office shall, for the purposes of any such Law or regulations, be\ndeemed to have been appointed under that Law on the date when he was appointed\nto such public office.\n\nSection 53\nInterpretation Law\n\nPage 24\nRevised as at 7th day of February, 1995\nc\n\n53.\nMeaning of service by post.\n53. Where any Law authorises or requires any document to be served by post, whether\nthe expression \u201cserve\u201d, \u201cgive\u201d, \u201csend\u201d or any other expression is used, then, unless\na contrary intention appears, the service shall be deemed to be effected by properly\naddressing, prepaying and posting a letter containing the document, and, unless the\ncontrary is proved, to have been effected at the time at which the letter would be\ndelivered in the ordinary course of post.\n54.\nSignification of orders of Governor\n54. Where power is given to the Governor or Governor in Council to make regulations,\nit shall be sufficient, unless it is otherwise expressed, for such regulations to be\nsignified under the hand of the Clerk of the Executive Council:\nProvided that any proclamation, warrant, or other instrument issued under the\nPublic Seal shall be issued under the hand of the Governor himself.\n55.\nPower of majority\n55. Save as is otherwise expressly provided by any Law, whenever any act or thing is\nrequired to be done by more than two persons, a majority of them may do it.\n56.\nDivision of Law into Parts\n56. Where any Law is divided into Parts, Titles or other divisions, the fact and\nparticulars of such division shall with or without express mention thereof in any\nLaw, be taken notice of in all courts and for all other purposes whatsoever.\n57.\nConstruction of preamble and Schedules to Law\n57. (1) The preamble of any Law may be referred to for assistance in explaining the\nscope and object of the Law.\n(2) Every Schedule or Table to any Law, or part of any Law, shall, together with\nany notes thereto, be construed and have effect as part of the Law.\n58.\nDeviations in forms\n58. Whenever forms are prescribed in any Law, slight deviations therefrom, not\naffecting the substance or calculated to mislead, shall not invalidate them.\n59.\nConstruction of amending Law with amended Law\n59. Where one Law amends another Law the amending Law shall, so far as it is\nconsistent with the tenor thereof, and unless the contrary intention appears, be\nconstrued as one with the amended Law.\n\nInterpretation Law (1995 Revision)\nSection 60\n\nc\nRevised as at 7th day of February, 1995\nPage 25\n\n60.\nReprint of amended Laws\n60. When any Law is amended it shall be lawful for any person with the authority of the\nGovernor to print copies of the Law with all the necessary additions, omissions,\nsubstitutions and amendments effected by the amending Law or Laws and such\ncopies shall be deemed to be authentic copies of the Law so amended.\n61.\nNotification of enactment and sale of regulations, etc.\n61. Where any regulation or other instrument of a public character is required either\nexpressly or by implication to be published or notified in the Gazette, a Government\nNotice that such regulation or other instrument has been made and of the place\nwhere copies thereof can be purchased or perused shall be sufficient compliance\nwith such requirement.\n62.\nEvidence of signature of Governor\n62. Whenever the fiat of the Governor is necessary before any prosecution or action is\ncommenced, any document purporting to bear the fiat of the Governor shall be\nreceived as prima facie evidence in any proceeding without proof being given that\nthe signature to such fiat is that of the Governor.\n63.\nSaving of rights of the Crown\n64. 63. No Law shall in any manner whatsoever affect the right of the Crown, unless it\nis therein expressly stated, or unless it appears by necessary implication, that the\nCrown is bound thereby.\n64.\nLaw binding on Crown\n64. This Law shall be binding on the Crown.\n\nPublication in consolidated and revised form authorised by the Governor in Council\nthis 7th day of February, 1995.\nCarmena H. Parsons\nActing Clerk of Executive Council","akn_extracted_at":"2026-06-22 15:33:26.577075+00","cms_id":"1963-0017","law_type":"principal","year":"1963","number":"17","title":"Interpretation Act","status":"in_force"},"provenance":{"files":[{"file_id":"4903","expr_id":"98","kind":"akn_xml","filename":"1963-0017_1995 Revision.akn.xml","source_url":null,"storage_path":"\/Users\/q\/kyleg-data\/working\/PRINCIPAL\/1963\/1963-0017\/1963-0017_1995 Revision.akn.xml","content_md5":"09e1d5ba224d845571ef2f81eff3a8f0","byte_size":"52855","http_last_modified":null,"fetched_at":"2026-06-22 15:33:27.630873+00"},{"file_id":"195","expr_id":"98","kind":"pristine_pdf","filename":"1963-0017_1995 Revision.pdf","source_url":"\/cms\/images\/LEGISLATION\/PRINCIPAL\/1963\/1963-0017\/1963-0017_1995 Revision.pdf","storage_path":"\/Users\/q\/kyleg-data\/pristine\/PRINCIPAL\/1963\/1963-0017\/1963-0017_1995 Revision.pdf","content_md5":"31f3b5565fe7dc30e140df0ae1f2f3ca","byte_size":"494430","http_last_modified":null,"fetched_at":"2026-06-21 23:09:35.670967+00"},{"file_id":"196","expr_id":"98","kind":"working_pdf","filename":"1963-0017_1995 Revision.pdf","source_url":"\/cms\/images\/LEGISLATION\/PRINCIPAL\/1963\/1963-0017\/1963-0017_1995 Revision.pdf","storage_path":"\/Users\/q\/kyleg-data\/working\/PRINCIPAL\/1963\/1963-0017\/1963-0017_1995 Revision.pdf","content_md5":"31f3b5565fe7dc30e140df0ae1f2f3ca","byte_size":"494430","http_last_modified":null,"fetched_at":"2026-06-21 23:09:35.670967+00"}],"paragraph_count":55,"latest_history":null},"quality":{"expr_id":"98","doc_id":"98","quality_state":"needs_review","quality_score":"84","needs_human_review":"t","deterministic_categories":"{commencement_metadata_problem,page_header_footer_noise}","llm_categories":"{paragraph_numbering_problem,duplicate_text}","repair_actions":"{collapse_duplicate_text,rebuild_paragraphs,strip_page_furniture,verify_commencement_metadata}","finding_severity_counts":"{\"low\": 1, \"medium\": 1}","finding_summary":"Sample shows numbering and duplication issues; full text likely truncated (marker present).","assessed_at":"2026-06-22 15:29:45.070767+00","updated_at":"2026-06-22 15:29:45.070767+00"}}