Okuzeka
Law vocabulary · Legal Systems & Sources of Law

Secondary legislation

Meaning in law, with examples

nounAdvanced term

In law, secondary legislation means: Rules made by a minister, government department or other body under powers given to it by an Act, rather than passed directly by parliament.

In Turkish: ikincil mevzuat, alt düzenleyici işlemler, türev hukuk

How it is used

Also called 'delegated' or 'subordinate legislation'. In the UK it is mostly made as 'statutory instruments', and the Act that grants the power is the 'parent' or 'enabling Act'. In EU law, 'secondary legislation' means the regulations, directives and decisions adopted under the Treaties.

Example sentences

  1. The details of the licensing scheme will be set out in secondary legislation.

  2. The court held that the secondary legislation went beyond the powers in the parent Act.

Common collocations

  • make secondary legislation
  • under secondary legislation
  • primary and secondary legislation
  • legislationLaws as a group, especially those made by a parliament; also the process of making these laws.
  • regulationA detailed official rule made by a government body or agency, usually under the authority of a statute; also the general control of an activity by rules.
  • actA law passed by a parliament or other legislature, often named with a title and year such as the Companies Act 2006; also called an Act of Parliament.
  • statutoryCreated, required or controlled by a statute rather than by a contract or by judges' decisions.
  • ultra viresA Latin phrase meaning 'beyond the powers', used when a public authority, company or official acts outside the legal powers it has been given.

More terms: Legal Systems & Sources of Law

Practise with graded reading

Reading at the right level is the fastest way to make new words stick. Pick free English books by level:

This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not legal advice.