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LGST 553: Legislative Drafting Process and Limits (Rev. 4) Report a Broken Link

LGST 551 considers the nature of legislation, and how it is prepared in common law jurisdictions. This course teaches how to convert simple instructions into basic legislative provisions that are correctly formatted and structured, as well as clear and effective.

Resource Materials

Adoption Information Act 1990, s. 3 (NSW) (Austl.). Objects (i.e., Purpose) section. https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/legis/nsw/repealed_act/aia1990230/s3.html
African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act (1990), Cap. (10), (Nigeria). Preamble. https://web.archive.org/web/20120110020134/http://www.nigeria-law.org/African%20Charter%20on%20Human%20and%20Peoples'%20Rights.htm#Preamble
Australia Cabinet Office. (1994). Guidelines for writing cabinet submissions. In Cabinet handbook (4th ed.). Australian Government Publication Service.
Australia Cabinet Office. (1994). Guidelines on preparation and presentation of legislation. In Cabinet handbook (4th ed.). Australian Government Publication Service.
Australia Cabinet Office. (1994). Guidelines on the preparation of drafting instructions. In Cabinet handbook (4th ed.). Australian Government Publication Service.
Department of Social Services.(2025, January 2). Readers guide. In Social Security Guide (Version 1.324). Australian Government. https://guides.dss.gov.au/social-security-guide
Fisheries Management Act 1991 (Cth) (Austl.). Commencement provisions. https://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/fma1991193/s2.html
Patchett, K. (2014). Examples of executive instruments. In Course materials on legislative drafting. Commonwealth of Learning. https://oasis.col.org/entities/publication/72b2efae-7883-44da-89ff-75226c052dd0
Patchett, K. (2014). Second-Hand Dealers Act 1992. In Course materials on legislative drafting. Commonwealth of Learning. https://oasis.col.org/entities/publication/72b2efae-7883-44da-89ff-75226c052dd0
Welsh Language Act 1967, c. 66 (UK). Preamble. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1967/66/contents
Example of Subsidiary Legislation
Province of Ontario. (2018). Ontario Regulation 474/18. Ontario Gazette, 151(48), 4319. https://www.ontario.ca/document/ontario-gazette-volume-151-issue-48-december-1-2018
Example of Subsidiary Legislative Instrument
Minister of Animal Affairs. Animals (Custody)(Amendment) Regulations 1992. Legal Notice 200.
Implementing a Fundamental Freedom
Peaceful Assembly Act 1992 (Qld) (Austl.). https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-1992-038
Interpretation Provisions and Definitions
Race Relations Act 1976, c. 74 (UK). https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1976/74/enacted
Interpretation Provisions and Roadmap
Road Traffic Act 1988, c. 52, s. 161 (UK). https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52/section/161
Layout of a Short Act
Deer Export Charge Act 1992 (Cth) (Austl.). https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2004A04322/latest/text
Legislative Structure and Preliminary Provisions
Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990 (N.Z.). https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1990/0108/latest/DLM223191.html
Model Act
Patchett, K. (2014). Interpretation Act 1992. In Course materials on legislative drafting. Commonwealth of Learning. https://oasis.col.org/entities/publication/72b2efae-7883-44da-89ff-75226c052dd0
Model Legislative Plan
Legislative Instruments Bill 1994 (Cth) (Austl.). https://henley.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/bill/lib1994302.pdf

Supplementary Readings

Keyes, J. M. (2008, October 25). Legislative services offices and the roles of legislative counsel. Department of Justice, Canada.
Revell, D. (2016, May 2). Enhancing the legislative process: The value of the legislative drafter [Video]. Vimeo. https://vimeo.com/165097277
Office of Parliamentary Counsel. (2022, July). OPC’s drafting services: A guide for clients (7th ed.). Government of Australia. https://www.opc.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-01/s13ag320.v55.pdf
ProceduralInfo. (n.d.). “Legislative Process.” In Our Procedure. House of Commons, Canada. https://www.ourcommons.ca/procedure/our-procedure/LegislativeProcess/c_g_legislativeprocess-e.html
Statute Law Society. (2010). Statute law [Podcast series]. University of Oxford. https://podcasts.ox.ac.uk/series/statute-law-making-legislation

Select Bibliography for Further Consultation

Attorney-General’s Chambers, Legislation Division (Singapore). (2003, April). The legislative drafting manual. Singapore Government.