An A—Z of Legislation: Secondary Legislation
23rd March 2010
15th July 2010
Secondary legislation plays a significant role in taking forward the Government’s policy agenda and meeting International obligations. Thousands of Statutory Instruments (SIs) are drawn up each year and as Parliamentary Counsel are not normally involved and Parliament is unable to amend SIs it is vital that policy officials have an understanding of the system because getting an SI wrong can have catastrophic effects.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the difference between Primary and Secondary legislation
- Understand the various forms of Secondary Legislation
- Understand the processes of scrutiny
- Understand the work of Departmental Lawyers in drafting the SI and Parliamentary Branch in laying the SI
- Understand your role as the Policy Official in liaising closely with Lawyers and Parliamentary Branch
Programme
| 9:15 | Registration |
| 9:45 | Chair’s Introduction
George Oliver MBE, Parliamentary Training Consultant (confirmed)
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| 10:00 | An Introduction to secondary legislation
Why have secondary legislation and how does it differ from primary legislation (Acts of Parliament)?
George Oliver MBE, Parliamentary Training Consultant (confirmed)
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| 10:45 | The types of Secondary Legislation and who has Legislative Competence?
Regulations, Orders, Rules, Measures
Tim Williams, Parliamentary Training Consultant (confirmed)
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| 11:30 | Refreshments
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| 11:45 | Scrutiny of Secondary Legislation
The process for scrutiny of Affirmative and Negative instruments. The role of the House of Commons and the House of Lords – debates, regret motions, prayers
Tim Williams, Parliamentary Training Consultant (confirmed)
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| 12:45 | Lunch
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| 13:45 | Drafting your Statutory Instrument
How to assist your Departmental lawyers to draft an SI that will do the job you need it to do
Francis Coleman, Know How Counsel, Cabinet Office (invited)
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| 14:30 | The Work of the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments and the Merits Committee
The work of identifying SIs with political significance
Andrew Mackersie, Clerk of Delegated Legislation, House of Lords (confirmed)
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| 15:15 | Refreshments
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| 15:30 | The Work of Departmental Parliamentary Branch
Working closely with them to ensure your SI is laid at the correct time and with the correct authorities in both Houses
George Oliver MBE, Parliamentary Training Consultant (confirmed)
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| 16:15 | Chair’s closing remarks
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Please note that the programme is subject to change without notice
