POLYAS Election Glossary

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

Secondary Legislation

Delegated or secondary legislation in the UK allows the Government to make changes to a law without needing to push through a completely new Act of Parliament. The original Act (primary legislation) would have provisions that allow for future delegated legislation to alter the law to differing degrees. 

Statutory Instruments

Statutory Instruments are a the most common form of secondary legislation which can also be used to amend, update or enforce existing primary legislation. They exist in a variety of forms, most commonly Orders in Council, regulations, rules and orders. 

The secondary legislation in the devolved Governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is called Scottish Statutory Instruments, Welsh Statutory Instruments and Statutory Rules of Northern Ireland.

Other Types of Secondary Legislation

Church Instruments and Bye-laws are additional types of delegated legislation in the UK. 

See also: Primary Legislation, Byelaws, Law


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