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An A—Z of Legislation: Secondary Legislation

30th Nov 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

Please note that this is a programme from a previous event

Programme

9:15
Registration
9:45
Chair’s Introduction
George Oliver MBE, Parliamentary Training Consultant (confirmed)
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)
10:45
The types of Secondary Legislation and who has Legislative Competence?
Regulations, Orders, Rules, Measures
Tim Williams, Parliamentary Training Consultant (confirmed)
11:30
Refreshments
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)
12:45
Lunch
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)
14:30
The Work of the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments and the Merits Committee
Andrew Mackersie, Clerk of Delegated Legislation, House of Lords (confirmed)
15:15
Refreshments
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)
16:15
Chair’s closing remarks

Please note that the programme is subject to change without notice

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Comments & Views

“Good presentation with lively use of humour.” Both speakers clearly knowledgeable and drew on their experiences to bring the presentation to life”

Lisa Sabbage, Herbert Smith

“Excellent presentation with humour, which is rare in a subject as this!”

Andrew France, Department for Transport