Disability Discrimination Act 

 Davern and Messel (1984) say ‘ it is a principle of interpretation that no statute will be construed as 
 abrogating a fundamental principle of the common law unless an intention to do so is clearly  
 expressed’. The authors go on to mention that ‘clear words are necessary for an Act to be 
 interpreted as setting aside a fundamental principle of the common law’. 

The DDA should clearly express in its statute what fundamental principle it abrogates of common law. 

Melville Miranda 
Victoria 

Date: 4-7-03.