In the interpretation and construction of this Code the following rules shall be observed.
(Mar. 3, 1901, 31 Stat. 1189, ch. 854.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 49-201.
1973 Ed., § 49-201.
References in Text
The term "Code" as used in this section means "An Act To establish a code of law for the District of Columbia, 31 Stat. 1189 through 31 Stat. 1436."
Words importing the singular number shall be held to include the plural, and vice versa, except where such construction would be unreasonable.
(Mar. 3, 1901, 31 Stat. 1189, ch. 854.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 49-202.
1973 Ed., § 49-202.
Unless the Council of the District of Columbia specifically provides that this section shall be inapplicable to a particular act or section, all the words thereof importing 1 gender include and apply to the other gender as well.
(Mar. 3, 1901, 31 Stat. 1189, ch. 854; June 4, 1982, D.C. Law 4-111, § 2(a), 29 DCR 1684.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 49-203.
1973 Ed., § 49-203.
Legislative History of Laws
Law 4-111, the "Anti-Sex-Discriminatory Language Act and Uniform Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act of 1980 Amendments Act of 1982," was introduced in Council and assigned Bill No. 4-374, which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. The Bill was adopted on first and second readings on March 9, 1982 and March 23, 1982, respectively. Signed by the Mayor on April 12, 1982, it was assigned Act No. 4-174 and transmitted to both Houses of Congress for its review.
The word "person" shall be held to apply to partnerships and corporations, unless such construction would be unreasonable, and the reference to any officer shall include any person authorized by law to perform the duties of his office, unless the context shows that such words were intended to be used in a more limited sense.
(Mar. 3, 1901, 31 Stat. 1189, ch. 854.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 49-204.
1973 Ed., § 49-204.
Wherever the word "executor" is used it shall include "administrator," and vice versa, unless such application of the term would be unreasonable.
(Mar. 3, 1901, 31 Stat. 1189, ch. 854.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 49-205.
1973 Ed., § 49-205.
Wherever an oath is required, an affirmation in judicial form, if made by a person conscientiously scrupulous about taking an oath, shall be deemed a sufficient compliance.
(Mar. 3, 1901, 31 Stat. 1189, ch. 854.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 49-206.
1973 Ed., § 49-206.
(Mar. 3, 1901, 31 Stat. 1189, ch. 854; Sept. 26, 2012, D.C. Law 19-169, § 23(a), 59 DCR 5567.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 49-207.
1973 Ed., § 49-207.
Legislative History of Laws
Law 19-169, the "People First Respectful Language Modernization Amendment Act of 2012", was introduced in Council and assigned Bill No. 19-189, which was referred to the Committee on Human Services. The Bill was adopted on first and second readings on March 6, 2012, and April 17, 2012, respectively. Signed by the Mayor on May 15, 2012, it was assigned Act No. 19-361 and transmitted to both Houses of Congress for its review. D.C. Law 19-169 became effective on undefined 26, 2012.
