Section A

In the context of the English legal system, which of the following statements accurately describes the operation of the 'mischief rule' of statutory interpretation?

It requires words to be given their ordinary dictionary meaning, even if it leads to an absurd result.

It permits judges to alter the wording of a statute to avoid a result that is contrary to public policy.

It allows the court to look at the common law position before the Act was passed to determine the defect the statute was intended to remedy.

It restricts interpretation to the specific context of the words immediately surrounding the ambiguous term.