CHAPTER 4.

GENERAL RULES OF CONSTRUCTION

Arrangement of Sections

Section 
§401. Short title. 
§402. Area covered by Revised Code. 
§403. Words denoting number. etc 
§404. Words and phrases generally. 
§405. English language text to prevail.
§406. Classification and arrangement of Titles, etc.
§407. Construction of Revised Code.
§408. Severability of provisions.

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An Act to provide for the rules of construction of the Revised Code.[Section numbering style modified to conform to new format [Rev2003].

Sources: TTC 1966
1 TTC 1970
COM P.L. 4C‑28 (1972)
I TTC 1980

§401. Short title.

This Chapter may be cited as the "General Interpretation Act". [Note: Section 1 has been added to conform this Chapter to the statutory format used in this Revised Code.] 

§402. Area covered by Revised Code.

The provisions of this Revised Code and any and all amendments thereto shall be in full force and effect, unless otherwise provided, in all of the Republic. [TTC 1966, §35; ITTC 1970, §151; 1TTC 1980, §151, modified.]

§403. Words denoting number, etc.

As used in this Revised Code or in any law of the Nitijela, unless it is otherwise provided or the context requires a different construction, application or meaning:

(a) words importing the singular include and apply to several persons, parties or things;

(b) words importing the plural include the singular;

(c) words importing the masculine gender include the feminine; and 

(d) words used in the present tense include the future. [COM P. L. 4C‑28, §1 (1972); 1TTC 1980, §152.]

§404. Words and phrases generally.

Words and phrases, as used in this Revised Code or in any law of the Nitijela or in any regulation issued pursuant thereto, shall be read with their context and shall be construed according to the common and approved usage of the English language. Technical words and phrases and such other words and phrases as may have acquired a peculiar and appropriate meaning in the law shall be construed and understood according to their peculiar and appropriate meaning. [COM P.L. 4C‑28. §1 (1972); 1TTC 1980, §153.]
 
§405. English language text to prevail.

Whenever any provision of this Revised Code or any law, ordinance, regulation, document or instrument adopted pursuant thereto shall have been translated in whole or in summary from English to Marshallese, should there be a possible difference of interpretation between the English text and the Marshallese translation the English language text shall prevail and govern in the decision of all cases, except as may be provided in the Local Government Act 1980. [COM P.L. 4C‑28, §1(1972.); 1TTC 1980, §154, modified.]

§406. Classification and arrangement of Titles, etc.

The classification of the Titles, Chapters, Parts, Divisions, Subdivisions, and Sections of this Revised Code, and the headings thereto, are made for the purpose of convenient reference and orderly arrangement, and no implication, inference or presumption of a legislative construction shall be drawn therefrom. [COM P.L. 4C‑28, §1(1972); 1TTC 1980, §155.]

§407. Construction of Revised Code.

The provisions of this Revised Code shall be construed according to the fair construction of their terms, with a view to effect its object and to promote justice. [COM P.L.4C‑28, §1(1972); 1TTC 1980, §156.]

§408. Severability of provisions.

If any provision of this Revised Code or amendments or additions hereto, or the application thereof to any person, thing or circumstances, is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect the provisions or application of this Revised Code or the amendments or additions that can be given effect without the invalid provisions or application, and to this end the provisions of this Revised Code and the amendments or additions thereto are severable. [COM P.L.4C‑28, §1(1972); 1 TTC 1980, §15 7.]