Extrinsic aids in statutory interpretation and when may they be used?

• A. Extrinsic aids include travaux préparatoires, previous statutes, dictionaries; used when the statutory text is ambiguous or obscure and not when the meaning is clear
• B. Extrinsic aids always override the statute
• C. Extrinsic aids are never considered
• D. Extrinsic aids include only case law

Answer: (A)

Extrinsic aids are materials from outside the statutory text that help you uncover what Parliament meant when the wording is unclear. They include drafting history (travaux préparatoires), related or previous statutes, and dictionaries to confirm the ordinary meaning of words.

These aids come into play when the statute’s language is ambiguous or obscure. If the wording is clear and unambiguous, you rely on that plain text and don’t need to consult outside materials. Extrinsic aids are not used to override clear statutory language; they’re there to resolve doubt and illuminate meaning, not substitute the text.

They’re not limited to case law; dictionaries and drafting history or prior statutes are also legitimate tools. The incorrect options either suggest extrinsic aids always override the statute, or that they’re never considered, or that they encompass only case law, which misstate the scope and purpose of extrinsic aids.