Ut res magis valeat quam pereat means that the thing may rather have effect than be destroyed.
The “ut res magis valeat quam pereat” (Rule of Reasonable Construction) implies that a statute must be construed reasonably. A statute or any enacting provision therein must be so construed as to make it effective and operative. The Court must try as far as possible, to keep the statute within the competence of legislature concerned.
As per this rule, the Court will reject the construction which will defeat the plain intention of the legislature even though there may be inexactitude in the language used.
Preference should be given to such construction which affords consistency and certainty, facilitating smooth working of the legal system.
As far as possible all the words used in statute must be given meaning as the legislature is not expected to use unnecessary words. Superfluous or insignificant words are not used by the makers of statute.