Legal Definitions - golden rule

The golden rule is a principle used by courts to interpret written documents, such as laws, contracts, or wills. It states that while courts should generally follow the plain, ordinary meaning of the words used, they can depart from that literal meaning if applying it would lead to an outcome that is clearly absurd, unjust, or inconsistent with other parts of the document. The purpose is to prevent an unreasonable result that the drafters likely did not intend.

Here are some examples of how the golden rule might be applied:

• Statutory Interpretation (Avoiding Absurdity):

  Imagine a local ordinance that states, "No animals are permitted in the public library." A literal interpretation of this rule would mean that a blind person could not bring their guide dog into the library, which would be an absurd and unjust outcome, directly contradicting the purpose of accessibility laws and common sense. Applying the golden rule, a court would interpret "animals" to exclude service animals, recognizing that the intent of the ordinance was to prevent pets and other disruptive animals, not to hinder individuals with disabilities.

• Contract Interpretation (Avoiding Inconsistency):

  Consider a commercial lease agreement that includes a clause stating, "The tenant is responsible for all repairs to the leased premises." However, another clause in the same contract specifies that "The landlord shall maintain the structural integrity of the building, including the roof and foundation." If the roof collapses due to age, a literal reading of the first clause might suggest the tenant is responsible for its repair. However, this would be inconsistent with the second clause. Using the golden rule, a court would interpret the "all repairs" clause in light of the "structural integrity" clause, concluding that the tenant's responsibility for repairs does not extend to major structural elements like the roof, which remain the landlord's duty. This avoids an inconsistent and potentially unfair outcome for the tenant.

• Will Interpretation (Avoiding Unjust Results):

  A will contains a provision stating, "I bequeath my entire collection of rare books to my nephew, David, provided he is a resident of London at the time of my death." At the time the will was written, David lived in London. However, five years before the testator's death, David moved to Edinburgh for a new job, a move the testator was aware of and approved. A strict, literal reading would mean David would not receive the books because he was not a resident of London at the time of death. This could be seen as an unjust result, as the testator's clear intent was to benefit David, and the residency requirement might have been merely descriptive or based on circumstances that changed with the testator's knowledge and acceptance. Applying the golden rule, a court might interpret the residency clause as a descriptive detail rather than a strict condition, ensuring the books go to the intended beneficiary, David, and preventing an outcome that defeats the testator's underlying purpose.