A Level Law Practice Exam

In which case did judges interpret 'equipment' to include ships, illustrating the purposive approach?

1. Royal College of Nursing v DHSS

2. Re Sigsworth

3. Coltman v Bibby Tankers

4. Alder v George

The correct answer is: Coltman v Bibby Tankers

The case where judges interpreted 'equipment' to include ships, illustrating the purposive approach, is indeed Coltman v Bibby Tankers. In this case, the court was tasked with interpreting legislation that required the provision of specific regulations concerning equipment and related safety measures. The purposive approach emphasizes understanding the intended purpose of the legislation rather than adhering strictly to its literal wording. In Coltman v Bibby Tankers, the judges recognized that the legislature intended for the safety regulations to apply broadly to all forms of equipment essential for maritime operations, which led to the inclusion of ships within that definition. This interpretation aligns with the overarching aim of protecting safety at sea, illustrating a clear application of the purposive method of statutory interpretation in the legal context. In contrast, Royal College of Nursing v DHSS dealt with the interpretation of the term "medical practice" and did not include ships. Re Sigsworth was focused on the principle of not allowing a murderer to benefit from their crime, rather than interpreting 'equipment.' Alder v George involved the interpretation of 'in the vicinity' concerning trespassing, which did not pertain to the definition of equipment. Thus, Coltman v Bibby Tankers stands out as the pertinent case that exemplifies how judges applied the