Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of delegated legislation

Grade: A-C | £1.99.

This essay discusses the advantages and disadvantages of delegated legislation.

The following points are discussed:

• Parliament's time is limited;
• Parliament's authority to others;
• Parliament's lack of expertise-better left to those who have the expertise (statutory instruments);
• Local authorities have local knowledge of the area- Parliament would not have such knowledge (bylaws);
• times of emergency or when Parliament is not sitting (Orders in Council);

Disadvantages discussed include:

• undemocratic procedures and processes involved;
• in the case of statutory instruments- limited opportunities for scrutiny, publicity and debate;
• 'affirmative resolution' and 'negative resolution' procedures;
• limitations of Joint Select Committee;
• limited control by the courts;
• 'ultra vires'

(Word count 830)