There Is a Newer Version of this Section
  1. 2023 Penn. Cons. Stat.
  2. 2022 Penn. Cons. Stat.
  3. 2021 Penn. Cons. Stat. (here)
  4. View All Versions
View Our Newest Version Here

2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Title 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS
Chapter 19 - Rules of Construction
Section 1928 - Rule of strict and liberal construction

Universal Citation:
1 PA Cons Stat § 1928 (2021)
Learn more This media-neutral citation is based on the American Association of Law Libraries Universal Citation Guide and is not necessarily the official citation.
Previous Next
§ 1928. Rule of strict and liberal construction.

(a) Statutes in derogation of common law.--The rule that statutes in derogation of the common law are to be strictly construed, shall have no application to the statutes of this Commonwealth enacted finally after September 1, 1937.

(b) Provisions subject to strict construction.--All provisions of a statute of the classes hereafter enumerated shall be strictly construed:

(1) Penal provisions.

(2) Retroactive provisions.

(3) Provisions imposing taxes.

(4) Provisions conferring the power of eminent domain.

(5) Provisions exempting persons and property from taxation.

(6) Provisions exempting property from the power of eminent domain.

(7) Provisions decreasing the jurisdiction of a court of record.

(8) Provisions enacted finally prior to September 1, 1937 which are in derogation of the common law.

(c) Provisions subject to liberal construction.--All other provisions of a statute shall be liberally construed to effect their objects and to promote justice.

Previous Next
Disclaimer: These codes may not be the most recent version. Pennsylvania may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.