Legislation: delegated legislation

Delegated legislation is made by people or institutions other than Parliament. They are empowered to do this by Parliament itself. Local authority by-laws are one example of delegated legislation.

Statutory Instruments are the most common form of delegated legislation. Some Acts of Parliament give powers to government ministers to make rules and regulations relating to the Act, and these are issued as Statutory Instruments.

Ministers may also be given powers to issue orders to bring sections of acts into force. These Statutory Instruments are known as Commencement Orders.