Heydon’s Case, also known as the Case of Monopolies, is a landmark legal case decided by the English Court of Exchequer Chamber in 1584. The case dealt with the issue of monopolies granted by the Crown and their legality under common law. The court held that monopolies were against the common law and that they could not be enforced unless they were granted for reasons of public necessity, such as the encouragement of new industries or the protection of inventions. The decision in Heydon’s Case established the principle that the common law could be used to limit the power of the monarchy and to protect individual rights and freedoms. It played a significant role in shaping English law and has influenced legal thinking in common law jurisdictions around the world.
This case [(1584) 3 Co Rep 7a] is famous for its definition of the ‘mischief rule’ of Statutory interpretation.
The relevant passage is: “[F]our things are to be discerned and considered: 1st. What was the common law before the making of the Act. 2nd. What was the mischief and defect for which the common law did not provide. 3rd. What remedy Parliament hath resolved and appointed to cure the disease of the Commonwealth. 4th. The true reason of the remedy; and then the office of the Judges is to make such construction as shall suppress the mischief and advance the remedy, and to suppress subtle inventions and evasions for the continuance of the mischief, and to add force and life to the cure and remedy, according to the true intent of the makers of the Act, pro bono publico.
Heydon’s Case, officially known as Heydon v. City of London (1584), is a landmark legal case in English common law that established important principles of statutory interpretation.
The case involved a dispute over the construction of a will, where the testator (Heydon) left property to his wife for life, with the remainder to his three sons. However, the will contained a clause appointing executors with wide-ranging powers.
The legal issue was how to interpret the will, specifically whether the executors’ powers could override the specific provisions regarding the disposition of property.
The court ruled that the intention of the testator should govern the interpretation of the will. The court applied four rules of construction to ascertain the testator’s intent, known as Heydon’s four corners or the mischief rule.
Heydon’s four rules of construction are:
- a. What was the common law before the making of the Act?
- b. What was the mischief and defect for which the common law did not provide?
- c. What remedy did Parliament resolve and appoint to cure the disease of the commonwealth?
- d. The true reason for the remedy.
Heydon’s Case has had a profound influence on statutory interpretation, emphasising the importance of determining legislative intent and the context in which laws are enacted.
Yes, Heydon’s Case remains relevant today and continues to be cited in legal arguments and judgments as a foundational principle of statutory interpretation, particularly in common law jurisdictions.
Heydon’s Case is frequently studied in law schools as an example of the principles of statutory interpretation and the development of common law rules.
While Heydon’s Case is widely respected, some critics argue that the rules of construction it established may not always lead to a clear or definitive interpretation of statutes or legal instruments.
You can learn more about Heydon’s Case and its implications by consulting legal textbooks, case law databases, and academic articles on statutory interpretation and legal history. Additionally, consulting with legal scholars or practitioners familiar with the case can provide valuable insights.
This site contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. Persuing this glossary does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
This glossary post was last updated: 29th March 2024.
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