ABSTRACT

If the number of sections in a part is sufficient to justify doing so, that part may itself be divided into smaller groups of sections and those smaller groups are known as divisions.

An idea of the way in which an Act is divided into parts and divisions may be gained from the Local Government Planning and Land Act 1980:

Another approach adopted by the British Parliament is to achieve the same result as parts by a series of central headings that do not actually use the word ‘Part’. Thus, in the Industry Act 1981 there are headings respectively to ss 1-2, 3-4, 5, and 6-7. An example is afforded by ss 5 and 6 and their respective headings:

If an Act is divided into parts and divisions the courts will ordinarily assume that the dividing of the Act in that way is intended to indicate that the group of sections in the part or in the division relates to a particular subject. The courts will not read a section in one part or division as relating to a subject matter that is dealt with in another part or division of the Act unless it is clear from the wording of the section that it must be read in that way and that the section has therefore been placed in the wrong part or division. If, however, it is clear from the section that it has been included in an inappropriate part or division, the section will be given its full clear meaning irrespective of the part or division in which it is placed.