Reviewed case brief

R v. Allen

(1872) LR 1 CCR 367

(1872) LR 1 CCR 367 · Court of Criminal Appeal

golden-rulebigamynarrow-constructionabsurd-resultmarry
Court
Court of Criminal Appeal
Year
1872
Subjects
Interpretation of Statutes
Reviewed
2026-08-02

Rule established

Golden Rule applied to narrow "marry" to mean "going through a ceremony of marriage" rather than "contract a valid marriage," avoiding the absurdity of making bigamy impossible to commit.

Facts

    Issues

      Held

        Ratio decidendi

        How to use it in an exam

        Editorial source

        LR 1 CCR 367; standard textbook authority

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