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Interpretation Act 1978 (c. 30)
Document Generated: 2012-05-29
Changes to legislation: There are outstanding changes not yet made by the legislation.gov.uk
editorial team to Interpretation Act 1978. Any changes that have already been made by the team
appear in the content and are referenced with annotations. (See end of Document for details)
General provisions as to enactment and operation
1
Words of enactment.
Every section of an Act takes effect as a substantive enactment without introductory
words.
2
Amendment or repeal in same Session.
Any Act may be amended or repealed in the Session of Parliament in which it is passed.
3
Judicial notice.
Every Act is a public Act to be judicially noticed as such, unless the contrary is
expressly provided by the Act.
4
Time of commencement.
An Act or provision of an Act comes into force—
(a) where provision is made for it to come into force on a particular day, at the
beginning of that day;
(b) where no provision is made for its coming into force, at the beginning of the
day on which the Act receives the Royal Assent.
Interpretation and construction
5
Definitions.
In any Act, unless the contrary intention appears, words and expressions listed in
Schedule 1 to this Act are to be construed according to that Schedule.
6
Gender and number.
In any Act, unless the contrary intention appears,—
(a) words importing the masculine gender include the feminine;
(b) words importing the feminine gender include the masculine;
(c) words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural include the
singular.
Annotations:
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C6
C7
C8
S. 6(a) excluded (E.W.) by Sexual Offences Act 1985 (c. 44, SIF 39:5), ss. 4(3), 5(5)
S. 6(b) excluded (E.W.) by Sexual Offences Act 1985 (c. 44, SIF 39:5), ss. 4(3), 5(5)
S. 6(b) excluded (E.W.S.) by Employment Act 1989 (c. 38, SIF 43:1), ss. 5(4)(7), 29(6), Sch. 9 para.
4(1)