Reviewed case brief

Colquhoun v. Brooks

(1888) 21 QBD 52

(1888) 21 QBD 52 · Court of Appeal (England)

ejusdem-generisgenusspecific-wordsgeneral-wordsno-common-category
Court
Court of Appeal (England)
Year
1888
Subjects
Interpretation of Statutes
Reviewed
2026-08-02

Rule established

The ejusdem generis rule requires that the specific words forming the genus must constitute a distinct category or class. If the specific words do not share a common genus, the general words following them receive their full natural meaning without restriction.

Facts

    Issues

      Held

        Ratio decidendi

        How to use it in an exam

        Editorial source

        (1888) 21 QBD 52

        Educational summary only. Read the reported judgment or an authorised law report before relying on the case professionally.