DL Pros and Cons

• Advantages of DL:

  1. Saves parliament time
  2. Specialist Knowledge
  3. Local Knowledge
  4. Numerous controls
• Disadvantages of DL:

  1. Partially undemocratic
  2. DL can be complex
  3. Voluminous
  4. Not always effective
• ADVANTAGE

  P: Saves parliament time

  E: PLM = long process

  E: technical supplements to Acts

  L: Parliament can focus on national issues
• ADVANTAGE

  P: Specialist knowledge

  E: specific government department

  E: PACE [1984], Police Codes of Practice.

  L: SIs are complex supplementary materials
• ADVANTAGE

  P: Local knowledge

  E: Local authorities

  E: Bylaws

  L: Parliament lack local knowledge
• ADVANTAGE

  P: Numerous Controls

  E: In place when DL is made

  E: Affirmative Resolutions

  L: Ought to not be bad DL
• DISADVANTAGE

  P: Partially undemocratic

  E: unelected civil servants.

  E: 2012, SI restricted rights of immigrants

  L: not reflective of public opinion
• DISADVANTAGE

  P: DL can be complex

  E: hard to interpret

  E: Rogers v Swindon NHS, “exceptional case”

  L: confusing for the public
• DISADVANTAGE

  P: Voluminous

  E: over 3000 a year

  E: The British Airports Authority bylaw, sports equipment

  L: expected to abide by unpublicised law
• DISADVANTAGE

  P: ineffective controls

  E: there are limitations.

  E: Negative Resolutions: Laws enforced unless rejected

  L: bad law