POLYAS Election Glossary

We provide explanations and background information on elections, voting rights and digital democracy

Primary Legislation

In the UK primary legislation refers to Acts of Parliament or Statutes. These are the main examples of primary legislation

  • Acts of the UK Parliament (can be Public General Acts, Local Acts or Personal Acts)
  • Acts of the pre-UK Parliaments
  • Acts of the Scottish Parliament
  • Measures of the National Assembly for Wales
  • Acts of the National Assembly for Wales Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly (and other primary legislation for Northern Ireland)
  • Church of England Measures (legislation for the established church in England passed by the General Synod of the Church of England

The term "primary legislation‟ also includes certain legislative instruments made by the Crown under the royal prerogative (called "prerogative instruments‟).

See also: Secondary Legislation, Law


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