理解Basic Law,重點係在於立法原意,但「立法原意」不等於「立法者的原意」,我地根本唔需要知道班起草委員當時係點諗,that's totally irrelevant (節錄Chong Fung Yuen v Director of Immigration [2001]):
" The courts' role under the
common law in
interpreting the Basic Law is to
construe the language used in the text of the instrument in order to ascertain the legislative intent as expressed in the language. Their task is not to ascertain the intent of the lawmaker on its own. Their duty is to ascertain what was meant by the language used and to give effect to the legislative intent as expressed in the language...
The courts do not look at the language of the article in question in isolation. The language is considered in the light of its context and purpose. See Ng Ka Ling at 28-29. The exercise of
interpretation requires the courts to identify the meaning borne by the language when considered in the light of its context and purpose. This is an objective exercise."
" To assist in the task of
interpretation of the provision in question, the courts consider what is within the Basic Law, including provisions in the Basic Law other than the provision in question and the Preamble. These are internal aids to
interpretation.
Extrinsic materials which throw light on the context or purpose of the Basic Law or its particular provisions may generally be used as an aid to the
interpretation of the Basic Law. Extrinsic materials which can be considered include the Joint Declaration and the Explanations on the Basic Law (draft) given at the NPC on 28 March 1990 shortly before its adoption on 4 April 1990....
Because the context and purpose of the Basic Law were established at the time of its enactment in 1990, the extrinsic materials relevant to its
interpretation are, generally speaking, pre-enactment materials, that is, materials brought into existence prior to or contemporaneous with the enactment of the Basic Law, although it only came into effect on 1 July 1997."
" Extrinsic materials, whatever their nature and whether pre or post-enactment, cannot affect
interpretation where the courts
conclude that the meaning of the language, when
construed in the light of its context and purpose ascertained with the benefit of internal aids and appropriate extrinsic materials, is clear.
The meaning of the language is clear if it is free from ambiguity, that is, it is not reasonably capable of sustaining
competing alternative
interpretations.
Once the courts conclude that the meaning of the language of the text when
construed in the light of its context and purpose is clear, the courts are bound to give effect to the clear meaning of the language. The courts will not on the basis of any extrinsic materials depart from that clear meaning and give the language a meaning which the language cannot bear."
理解Basic Law,重點係在於立法原意,但「立法原意」不等於「立法者的原意」,我地根本唔需要知道班起草委員當時係點諗,that's totally irrelevant (節錄Chong Fung Yuen v Director of Immigration [2001]):
"The courts' role under the common law in interpreting the Basic Law is to construe the language used in the text of the instrument in order to ascertain the legislative intent as expressed in the language. Their task is not to ascertain the intent of the lawmaker on its own. Their duty is to ascertain what was meant by the language used and to give effect to the legislative intent as expressed in the language...
The courts do not look at the language of the article in question in isolation. The language is considered in the light of its context and purpose. See Ng Ka Ling at 28-29. The exercise of
interpretation requires the courts to identify the meaning borne by the language when considered in the light of its context and purpose. This is an objective exercise."
"To assist in the task of interpretation of the provision in question, the courts consider what is
within the Basic Law, including provisions in the Basic Law other than the provision in question and the Preamble. These are internal aids to interpretation.
Extrinsic materials which throw light on the context or purpose of the Basic Law or its particular provisions may generally be used as an aid to the interpretation of the Basic Law. Extrinsic materials which can be considered include the Joint Declaration and the Explanations on the Basic Law (draft) given at the NPC on 28 March 1990 shortly before its adoption on 4 April 1990....
Because the context and purpose of the Basic Law were established at the time of its enactment in 1990, the extrinsic materials relevant to its interpretation are, generally speaking, pre-enactment materials, that is, materials brought into existence prior to or contemporaneous with the enactment of the Basic Law, although it only came into effect on 1 July 1997."
"Extrinsic materials, whatever their nature and whether pre or post-enactment, cannot affect interpretation where the courts conclude that the meaning of the language, when construed in the light of its context and purpose ascertained with the benefit of internal aids and appropriate extrinsic materials, is clear.
The meaning of the language is clear if it is free from ambiguity, that is, it is not reasonably capable of sustaining competing alternative interpretations.
Once the courts conclude that the meaning of the language of the text when construed in the light of its context and purpose is clear, the courts are bound to give effect to the clear meaning of the language. The courts will not on the basis of any extrinsic materials depart from that clear meaning and give the language a meaning which the language cannot bear."