What is a stated function of courts in relation to parliament's law?

What is a stated function of courts in relation to parliament's law?

• A. Court can clarify or interpret parliament's unclear law and may highlight to parliament that law needs to be changed
• B. Courts write new laws for parliament
• C. Courts only decide criminal cases
• D. Courts have no influence on law reform

Answer: (A)

Courts interpret and apply Parliament’s laws. When the wording of a statute is unclear, the court works out meaning from the text, the purpose of the law, and the surrounding legal framework to decide a case. This process effectively clarifies how the law should operate in practice. If a judgment reveals gaps, ambiguity, or unfair outcomes, it can signal to Parliament that the law needs to be changed or amended. Courts don’t write new laws themselves; they give meaning to existing laws and, through their decisions, can influence reform by highlighting where Parliament should step in to adjust the legal framework.

Courts interpret and apply Parliament’s laws. When the wording of a statute is unclear, the court works out meaning from the text, the purpose of the law, and the surrounding legal framework to decide a case. This process effectively clarifies how the law should operate in practice. If a judgment reveals gaps, ambiguity, or unfair outcomes, it can signal to Parliament that the law needs to be changed or amended. Courts don’t write new laws themselves; they give meaning to existing laws and, through their decisions, can influence reform by highlighting where Parliament should step in to adjust the legal framework.