5 SKILLS NEED FOR READING BARE ACTS

1. Know the purpose of the Act:

The first thing you have to do before reading a bare act is to understand the purpose and objective for which a particular act was enacted by the legislature. Almost every act provides a long title at the beginning of that act which defines the object of the act. For eg: the long title of the code of the criminal procedure act, 1973 is “an act to consolidate and amend the law relating to criminal procedure Similarly, the long title of the transfer of property act, 1882 is “an act to define the law relating to the transfer of property by act of parties” 

One should always try to relate every section, clause, and illustration with their purpose, to generate a clear understanding of the law. Once the purpose of an act is clear to you, you would be able to understand all the things very easily.

2. Break sentences into parts and read:

A long and complicated sentence is intimidating. Bare acts contain some lengthy and complicated sentences which sometimes can be difficult to comprehend. In that case, one should break the sentence into parts and read it multiple times. You cannot read bare act in one go: it is not easy like reading novels or other books. You need patience to read bare acts  without which one may never develop a clear understanding of the law.

3. Give special attention to some terms:

While reading bare acts you should give some special attention to terms like “and”, “or”, “may”, “shall”, should” etc. If you want to perform, you cannot read these terms casually, 

4. Interpretation:

Every act provides an interpretation clause at the starting of the act which defines or explains some terms which are used in the act. In most of the bare acts, section 2 contains definitions. For example, the Indian contract act, 1872 contains the definitions of some terms or words which are used in the act and these particular terms, shall be interpreted as section 2 of explains. 

5. Interpret literally:

Which reading the bare act you should have to read the bare act as it is. Literal interpretation is the first principle of fathoming a statute, widely regarded by legal luminaries. In short, it is suggested to read the bare act as it is written without making any assumptions.