Search Legislation

Interpretation Act 1978

Status:

This is the original version (as it was originally enacted).

  1. Introductory Text

  2. General provisions as to enactment and operation

    1. 1.Words of enactment

    2. 2.Amendment or repeal in same Session

    3. 3.Judicial notice

    4. 4.Time of commencement

  3. Interpretation and construction

    1. 5.Definitions

    2. 6.Gender and number

    3. 7.References to service by post

    4. 8.References-to distance

    5. 9.References to time of day

    6. 10.References to the Sovereign

    7. 11.Construction of subordinate legislation

  4. Statutory powers and duties

    1. 12.Continuity of powers and duties

    2. 13.Anticipatory exercise of powers

    3. 14.Implied power to amend

  5. Repealing enactments

    1. 15.Repeal of repeals

    2. 16.General savings

    3. 17.Repeal and re-enactment

  6. Miscellaneous

    1. 18.Duplicated offences

    2. 19.Citation of other Acts

    3. 20.References to other enactments

  7. Supplementary

    1. 21.Interpretation etc.

    2. 22.Application to Acts and Measures

    3. 23.Application to other instruments

    4. 24.Application to Northern Ireland

    5. 25.Repeals and savings

    6. 26.Commencement

    7. 27.Short title

  8. SCHEDULES

    1. SCHEDULE 1

      Words and Expressions Defined

      1. Definitions

      2. Construction of certain expressions relating to children

      3. Construction of certain expressions relating to offences

    2. SCHEDULE 2

      Application of Act to Existing Enactments

      1. PART I Acts

        1. 1.The following provisions of this Act apply to Acts whenever...

        2. 2.The following apply to Acts passed after the year 1850:—...

        3. 3.The following apply to Acts passed after the year 1889:—...

        4. 4.(1) Subject to the following provisions of this paragraph—

        5. 5.The following definitions shall be treated as included in Schedule...

      2. PART II Subordinate Legislation

        1. 6.Sections 4(a), 9 and 19(1), and so much of Schedule...

        2. 7.The definition in Schedule 1 of " county court", in...

    3. SCHEDULE 3

      Enactments Repealed

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources