Section 5: General rules of interpretation

5. General rules of interpretation (1) Words importing the masculine shall include the feminine and the neuter. I20 – 5 [Issue 9] Interpretation and General Clauses Act (2) (a) Words in the singular shall include the plural. (b) Words in the plural shall include the singular. (3) References to the whole shall include references to a part. (4) (a) The word “shall” shall be read as imperative. (b) The word “may” shall be read as permissive and empowering. (5) “Or”, “other” and “otherwise” shall be construed disjunctively, and not as implying similarity unless the word “similar” or other word of like meaning is added. (6) Where a word or expression is defined in an enactment, the definition shall have the same meaning in a subsidiary enactment made under that enactment. (7) The law shall be considered as always speaking, and where any matter or thing is expressed in the present tense, it shall be applied to the circumstances as they occur. (8) Effect shall be given to each enactment according to its true intent, meaning and spirit. (9) Where a word or expression is defined in an enactment, the definition shall with necessary modification extend to any grammatical variation and cognate expression of that word or expression. (10) A reference to an Act includes a reference to any subsidiary legislation made under that Act. (11) Where an expression of time occurs in an enactment or document and where the doing or not doing of anything at a certain time of day or night or during a certain part of the day or night has an effect in law, the time shall be standard time.