Rules of Procedure for Drafting and Reviewing of Bills and … · 2018-04-18 · drafting and reviewing of bills and delegated legislations. 6. Notwithstanding rule 5 of these rules,

RULESOFPROCEDUREFORDRAFTINGANDREVIEWINGOFBILLSANDDELEGATEDLEGISLATIONS2018

iRulesofProcedureforDraftingandReviewingofBillsandDelegatedLegislations2018

TABLEOFCONTENTS

ContentsPageno.

CHAPTERI:PRELIMINARY 1 Title 1 Commencement 1

Application 1Purpose 1

CHAPTERII:DRAFTINGANDREVIEWDIVISION 2 CHAPTERIII:PROCESSFORDRAFTINGOFBILLS 2

Directivestodraftbills 2DraftingInstruction 3Assignmentofwork 4PlanningofDrafting 5Draftingofbills 5Responsibilityofdrafters 6In-housediscussion 7Finalizationoffirstdraftofthebill 7Dispatchoffinaldraftofthebill 7PresentationtoCabinetorsponsoringministry 7Consultation 8Prioritizationofdrafting 8DraftingofbillsbyotherDivisions 8Legalopiniononthelegislativeproposal 9

CHAPTERIV:PROCESSFORDRAFTINGOFDELEGATEDLEGISLATIONS 9

Directivestodraftdelegatedlegislations 9DelegatedlegislationstobeissuedundertheauthorityofalawenactedbyParliament 9DelegatedlegislationstobeissuedinexerciseofpowersconsistentwiththeConstitutionbutnotprovidedbylawenactedbyParliament9

RulesofProcedureforDraftingandReviewingofBillsandDelegatedLegislations2018

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DraftingInstruction 10Assignmentofwork 11Draftingofdelegatedlegislations 11Responsibilityofdrafters 12In-housediscussion 12Finalizationoffirstdraftofthedelegatedlegislation 13Dispatchoffinaldraftofthedelegatedlegislation 13PresentationtoCabinetorsponsoringagency 13Consultation 14Prioritizationofdrafting 14DraftingofdelegatedlegislationsbyotherDivisions 14Legalopinionontheproposal 14

CHAPTERV:PROCESSFORREVIEWINGOFBILLSANDDELEGATEDLEGISLATIONS 14

Directivestoreviewbillsordelegatedlegislations 14Assignmentofwork 16Reviewofbillsordelegatedlegislations 17Responsibilityofdrafters 17In-housediscussion 17Consultation 18Finalizationofthedraftbillordelegatedlegislation 18Dispatchoffinaldraftofthebillordelegatedlegislation 18Presentationtosponsoringministryorsponsoringagency 18Prioritizationofreview 18ReviewofbillsordelegatedlegislationsbyotherDivisions 19

CHAPTERVI:MISCELLANEOUS 19

Confidentiality 19Revision 19Definitions 19

1RulesofProcedureforDraftingandReviewingofBillsandDelegatedLegislations2018

RULESOFPROCEDUREFORDRAFTINGANDREVIEWINGOFBILLSANDDELEGATEDLEGISLATIONS2018

In exercise of the power vested by section 101 of the Office of the AttorneyGeneralActofBhutan2015,theAttorneyGeneralherebyframesandissuestheRulesofProcedureforDraftingandReviewingofBillsandDelegatedLegislations2018asfollows:

CHAPTERIPRELIMINARY

Title

1. Theserulesare theRulesofProcedure forDraftingandReviewingofBillsandDelegatedLegislations2018.

Commencement

2. Theserulescomeintoforceonthe14thDayof2ndMonthoftheEarthMaleDogYearcorrespondingtothe30thofMarch2018.

Application

3. Theserulesapplyto:(1) anattorneyoftheOfficeoftheAttorneyGeneralauthorizedtocarryout

the drafting or reviewing of a bill or delegated legislation for thegovernment;and

(2) a ministry, government agency or constitutional office collaboratingwiththeOfficeindraftingorreviewingofabillordelegatedlegislation.

Purpose

4. Thepurposeoftheserulesareto:(1) streamlinetheprocessofdraftingandreviewingofabillanddelegated

legislation in the Office, and the ministry, government agency orconstitutional office collaborating with the Office in drafting orreviewingofabillanddelegatedlegislation;

(2) provide clear time frames for drafting and reviewing of a bill anddelegatedlegislation;


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(3) specifytheresponsibilityofadrafterfordraftingandreviewingofabillanddelegatedlegislation;and

(4) stipulateonthecontentsofClearandDetailedPolicyGuidelinethroughDrafting Instruction and supporting documents for drafting andreviewingofabillanddelegatedlegislation.

CHAPTERIIDRAFTINGANDREVIEWINGDIVISION

5. TheDraftingandReviewingDivisionof theOffice shall be responsible fordraftingandreviewingofbillsanddelegatedlegislations.

6. Notwithstandingrule5oftheserules,theAttorneyGeneralmayassigntoarelevantattorney fromanotherDivision in theOffice todraftor reviewabillordelegatedlegislation.

CHAPTERIIIPROCESSFORDRAFTINGOFBILLS

Directivestodraftbills7. A proposal to the Office by a requesting agency to draft a bill shall be

routedthroughtheCabinet.

8. If the proposal ismade to theOffice directly, theOffice shall inform therequestingagencytoroutetheproposalthroughCabinet.

9. IftheCabinetapprovestheproposaloftherequestingagency,thenitshalldirecttheOfficeinwritingtodraftthebill.

10. ThedirectivetodraftthebillfromtheCabinettotheOfficeshallprovide:(1) Clear and Detailed Policy Guideline through Drafting Instruction if the

proposaltodraftthebilloriginatesfromtheCabinet;or(2) Clear and Detailed Policy Guideline through Drafting Instruction

submitted to the Cabinet by the requesting agency and approvedaccordingly,iftheproposaloriginatesfromtherequestingagency.


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11. Upon receipt of the directive, along with Drafting Instruction from theCabinet, theOfficeshall informtheCabinetorthesponsoringministry,asthe casemaybe, todesignateaDrafting Instructor inwriting to facilitatethe Office in any matter related to drafting of the bill. However, if theproposaloriginatedfromagovernmentagencyorconstitutionaloffice,thesponsoringministry may authorize the concerned government agency orconstitutionalofficetodesignatetheDraftingInstructor.

12. The Drafting Instructor shall be the focal person for the officialcorrespondences between the Office and the Cabinet or the sponsoringministry,asthecasemaybe,thereafter.

DraftingInstruction

13. TheDraftingInstructionshallbeinwritingandcontainthefollowing:(1) the background document, information or facts and the problem that

theproposedlawisintendedtodealwith;(2) a copy of the report or a reference, if a law review taskforce or a

committeesuggestedtheproposedlaw;(3) acopyofthejudgmentorlegalopinion,iftheproposedlawarisesoutof

an error or a problem in the law that was pointed out in the courtjudgmentorthelegalopinion;

(4) state whether the proposal is derived out of Article 9 of theConstitution;

(5) comprehensiveobjectivesintendedtobeachieved;(6) state how the objectives are to be achieved including implementation

strategies;(7) ifanewentity,institutionorauthorityistobeestablished,detailsofits

nameandorganization;(8) state the powers and duties of relevant persons under the proposed

law;(9) state the enforcement provisions including search and seizure power,

administrativepenaltyandlicensesuspension;


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(10) suggestpenaltyforanoffencecreatedbytheproposedlawandstatetherationaleforthesame;

(11) statetowhomtheproposedlawisintendedtoapply;(12) statewhethersomepersonswillbeexemptfromtheproposedlaw;(13) statewhetherthereisaneedtomaketheproposedlawretroactive;(14) statewhethera"sunset"provisionisrequired;(15) statewhether a transitional provision is necessary and the type of

transitionalruletobesetout;(16) statewhether anyother existing legislationordelegated legislation

needstobeamendedasaresultoftheproposedlaw;(17) if the proposed law will take the form of amending legislation

indicatethesectionthatmustbeamended,whereknown;(18) if theproposal is toamendor repealaprovisionofanexisting law,

statethereasonoftheneedofanewprovision,ortheamendmentorrepealofanexistingprovision;

(19) state if authority tomake delegated legislation is required and thescopeofthedelegatedlegislation;

(20) ifanotherministryoragencyisaffected,indicatewhethertheyhavebeenconsulted;

(21) references to the experience and legislation in other jurisdictionsthatmaybeusefulforthedrafter;

(22) state foreseeable implication and difficulty, whether legal,administrativeorsocial;

(23) ifamatterrelatedtotheproposedlawisunresolved,indicatewhatitisandwhenitwillberesolved;and

(24) statewhethertheproposedlawwillbepracticableorenforceable.Assignmentofwork

14. UponreceiptofthedirectivefromtheCabinettodraftabillalongwiththeDraftingInstruction,theAttorneyGeneralshallmarktheassignmenttotheDirectoroftheLegalServiceDepartment,ChiefoftheDivisionorarelevantattorneyofanotherDivisionoftheOfficewithinthreeworkingdays.


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15. If the assignment is marked to the Director of the Legal ServiceDepartment, the Director shall mark the assignment to the Chief of theDivisionwithinthreeworkingdays.

16. If the assignment is marked to the Chief of the Division, the Chief shallidentifyanattorney in theDivision toworkon theassignmentwithin fiveworkingdays.

17. Theconcernedattorney(hereafterreferredtoas‘drafter’)shallrecordtheassignment including assignment date and name of the drafter in theregistermaintainedwiththeDivision.

18. Ifuponthescrutinyofthedrafter,theDraftingInstructionprovidedunderthisChapterisincompleteorinadequate,theOfficeshallinwritingseekforfurtherDraftingInstructionfromtheCabinet.

Planningofdrafting

19. Thedraftershall:(1) prepareaworkplanfordraftingthebill;and(2) in consultation with the Drafting Instructor constitute a technical

committee from the relevant stakeholders if the subjectmatterof thebill is technical in nature, to seek for technical assistance during thedraftingprocess.

DraftingofBills

20. Thedrafter shallprepare firstdraftof thebillwithin sixmonths fromthedateofassignmentofthedraftingwork.

21. Ifthesubjectmatterofthebilliscomplex,technical,lengthyorthequalityof the Drafting Instruction is incomplete or inadequate, the drafter shallprepare first draft of the bill within twelve months from the date ofassignmentofthedraftingwork.

22. Throughoutthedraftingprocess,thedraftershallconsultwiththeDraftingInstructor on any pertinent issue that require further information orclarification.


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Responsibilityofdrafters

23. Adrafterofabillshall:(1) ensurethattheproposedlawisconsistentwiththefundamentalrights

enshrinedunderArticle7oftheConstitution;(2) ensure that the proposed law is consistent with the Constitution, the

existinglawsandthefundamentalprinciplesoffairness;(3) ensurethatthelanguageissimple,clearandeffective;(4) ensurethattheformatandnumberingoftheproposedlawisconsistent

withtheprevailingdraftingmanualsandguidelinesinforce;(5) ensure that the proposed law isworded consistentlywith the existing

laws;(6) advise theDrafting Instructor on potential issues that arise during the

draftingprocess;(7) assisttheDraftingInstructortodecideontheenforcementissues,ifany;(8) raiseissuesontransitionalprovisions,ifrequired;and(9) conduct meetings with the technical committee, if a technical

committeeisconstitutedundertheserules.

24. A drafter shall decide in consultationwith the Drafting Instructor on thefollowingissuesthatmayarise:(1) whethertheproposedlawcomplieswiththeConstitution,existinglaws

andfundamentalprinciplesoffairness;(2) whether the proposed law contains an unusual offence or penalty

provision not consistent with the sentencing pattern under the PenalCodeofBhutan;

(3) whethersubstantivelegalmattersareomittedfromtheproposedlawtobecoveredinthedelegatedlegislation;

(4) whetherthecourtsareexcludedfromthedecision-makinginwhichtheyarenormallyinvolved;

(5) whethersubstantialdegreeofadministrativediscretionisconferredonofficialswhichmayattractunrestrictedpower;and

(6) if the proposed law is to apply retroactively and affects the rights orimposeliabilities,thefairnessofsuchameasure.


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In-housediscussion

25. Within one month after first draft of the bill is ready, the drafter shalldiscuss first draft of the bill within the Division or Office and seekcommentsonit.

26. Afterthein-housediscussion,necessarychangesshallbemadetofirstdraftof the bill and it shall be reviewed by another drafter from the Divisionwithintwoweekswhichmaybeextendedtoonemonthhavingregardtothecomplexity,technicalityorlengthofthedraftbill.

Finalizationoffirstdraftofthebill

27. Afterthereviewiscompleteunderrule26oftheserules,themaindraftershallfinalizefirstdraftofthebill.

Dispatchoffinaldraftofthebill

28. Upon finalizationof firstdraftof thebill, thedrafter shallobtain the signandsealoftheAttorneyGeneralanddispatchittothe:(1) Cabinet,iftheproposaltodraftthebilloriginatedfromtheCabinet;or(2) sponsoringministry, if the proposal to draft the bill originated from a

requestingagency,withacopytotheCabinet.

29. ThedraftershallmaintainacopyoffinaldraftofthebillwiththeDivisionforfuturereferenceandrecord.

PresentationtoCabinetorsponsoringministry

30. The drafter shall make presentation on final draft of the bill, on a dateagreed inconsultationwiththeCabinetorthesponsoringministry,asthecasemaybe,tothe:(1) Cabinet, if required by the Cabinet and the proposal to draft the bill

originatedfromtheCabinet;or(2) sponsoring ministry, if required by the sponsoring ministry and the

proposaltodraftthebilloriginatedfromarequestingagency.

31. One ormore attorneys from the Divisionmay accompany the drafter toassistwiththepresentation.


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Consultation

32. After submission of final draft of the bill to the Cabinet and thepresentationbytheOfficeontheirrequest,iftheproposaltodraftthebilloriginatedfromtheCabinet,theCabinetmaydirecttheOfficetoconductaconsultation meeting and the Office shall conduct such consultationmeetingwiththerelevantstakeholders.

33. AfterthesubmissionoffinaldraftofthebilltothesponsoringministryandthepresentationbytheOfficeontheirrequest,iftheproposaltodraftthebilloriginatedfromarequestingagency, thebillmaybesubmittedtotheCabinetbythesponsoringministry.

34. Afterthesubmissionoffinaldraftofthebillbythesponsoringministrytothe Cabinet, if the Cabinet directs the Office to conduct a consultationmeeting, the Office shall in collaboration with the sponsoring ministryconductsuchconsultationmeetingwiththerelevantstakeholders.

35. After the consultation meeting is conducted, necessary changes shall bemadetofinaldraftofthebillandthedraftershallobtainthesignandsealoftheAttorneyGeneralanddispatchittothe:(1) Cabinet,iftheproposaltodraftthebilloriginatedfromtheCabinet;or(2) sponsoringministry, if the proposal to draft the bill originated from a

requestingagency,withacopytotheCabinet.

36. ThedraftershallmaintainacopyoffinaldraftofthebillwiththeDivisionforfuturereferenceandrecord.

Prioritizationofdrafting

37. Notwithstanding the time frames mentioned under these rules, if theCabinet directs theOffice to draft a bill onurgent basis, thedrafter shallaccordprioritytosuchurgentproposalanddraftthebill.

DraftingofbillsbyotherDivisions

38. IfabillisdraftedbyotherDivisionsoftheOffice,thesameprocedureshallbefollowed.


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Legalopiniononthelegislativeproposal

39. TheOfficemayprovide legalopiniontoaministry,governmentagencyorconstitutional office on the legal aspects of a legislative proposal, if therequestisroutedthroughtheCabinet.

CHAPTERIVPROCESSFORDRAFTINGOFDELEGATEDLEGISLATIONS

Directivestodraftdelegatedlegislations

40. A proposal to the Office by a requesting agency to draft a delegatedlegislationshallberoutedthroughtheCabinet.

41. If a proposal ismade to the Office directly, the Division shall inform therequestingagencytoroutetheproposalthroughtheCabinet.

Delegated legislations to be issued under the authority of a law enacted byParliament

42. If the Cabinet approves the proposal of a requesting agency to draft adelegatedlegislationtobeissuedundertheauthorityofa lawenactedbyParliament, then itshalldirect theOffice inwritingtodraft thedelegatedlegislation,withacopyofthelettertotherequestingagency.

43. Thereafter, the sponsoringagency shall provide theOfficewithClear andDetailedPolicyGuidelinethroughDraftingInstruction.

Delegated legislations to be issued in exercise of powers consistent with theConstitutionbutnotprovidedbylawenactedbyParliament

44. ThedirectivetodraftadelegatedlegislationtobeissuedbytheExecutiveorgan of the government in exercise of powers consistent with theConstitution but not provided by law enacted by Parliament, from theCabinettotheOfficeshallprovide:

(1) Clear and Detailed Policy Guideline through Drafting Instruction if theproposaloriginatesfromtheCabinet;or


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(2) Clear and Detailed Policy Guideline through Drafting Instructionsubmitted to the Cabinet by the requesting agency and approvedaccordingly,iftheproposaloriginatesfromtherequestingagency.

45. Upon receipt of the directive and Drafting Instruction, the Office shallinform the Cabinet or the sponsoring agency, as the case may be, todesignate a Drafting Instructor in writing to facilitate the Office in anymatterrelatedtodraftingthedelegatedlegislation.

46. The Drafting Instructor shall be the focal person for the officialcorrespondences between the Office and the Cabinet or the sponsoringagency,asthecasemaybe,thereafter.

DraftingInstruction

47. TheDraftingInstructionshallbeinwritingandcontainthefollowing:(1) the primary legislation according to which the delegated legislation is

soughttobedrafted,ifthereisaprimarylegislation;(2) background document, information or facts and the extent of the

proposedlaw;(3) comprehensiveobjectivesintendedtobeachieved;(4) statetowhomtheproposedlawisintendedtoapply;(5) statewhethersomepersonswillbeexemptfromtheproposedlaw;(6) state how the objectives are to be achieved including implementation

strategies;(7) proceduresandprocesses;(8) the stipulation of fine, if any and the rationale for the stipulated

amount;(9) if the enforcement of provision requires involvement or collaboration

with another ministry or agency, indicate whether they have beenconsulted;and

(10) foreseeableimplicationanddifficultyinproceduralenforcement.


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Assignmentofwork

48. Upon receipt of the directive from the Cabinet to draft a delegatedlegislation along with Drafting Instruction from the Cabinet or thesponsoringagency,asthecasemaybe,theAttorneyGeneralshallmarktheassignment to theDirector of the Legal ServiceDepartment, Chief of theDivisionorarelevantattorneyofanotherDivisionoftheOfficewithinthreeworkingdays.




52. Ifuponscrutinyofthedrafter,theDraftingInstructionprovidedunderthisChapter is incomplete or inadequate, the Office shall in writing seek forfurtherDrafting InstructionfromtheCabinetorthesponsoringagency,asthecasemaybe.

Draftingofdelegatedlegislations

53. Thedraftershallpreparefirstdraftofthedelegatedlegislationwithinthreemonthsfromthedateofassignmentofthedraftingwork.

54. If the subject matter of the delegated legislation is complex, technical,lengthy or the quality of the documents provided is incomplete orinadequate,thedraftershallpreparethefirstdraftwithinsixmonthsfromthedateofassignmentofthedraftingwork.


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55. Throughoutthedraftingprocess,thedraftershallconsultwiththeDraftingInstructor on any pertinent issue that require further information orclarification.


56. Adrafterofadelegatedlegislationshall:(1) ensure that the proposed law is consistent with the Constitution, the

primarylegislationifthereisaprimarylegislation,theexistinglawsandthefundamentalprinciplesoffairness;

(2) ensure that the proposed law does not dealwith substantivemattersrelevanttobecoveredunderlegislations;

(3) ensurethattheproposedlawdoesnotamendanexistinglegislation;(4) ensurethattheproposedlawdoesnotprescribeforpenaloffences;(5) ensure that theproposed lawdoesnot conferpowersof enforcement

including entry, search, seizure or arrest if such powers are not givenunder the primary legislation or if there is no primary legislationwithregardtotheproposedlaw;

(6) ensurethatthelanguageissimple,clearandeffective;(7) ensure that theproposed lawdoesnot sub-delegatepowers toothers

unless authorized by the primary legislation or if there is no primarylegislationwithregardtotheproposedlaw;

(8) ensuretheformatoftheproposedlawisconsistentwiththeprevailingdraftingmanualandguidelinesinforce;

(9) ensure that the proposed law isworded consistentlywith the existinglaws;and

(10) advise the Drafting Instructor on potential issues that may ariseduringthedraftingprocess.

In-housediscussion

57. Withinonemonthafterfirstdraftofthedelegatedlegislationisready,thedrafter shall discuss first draft of the delegated legislation within theDivisionorOfficeandseekcommentsonit.


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58. Afterthein-housediscussion,necessarychangesshallbemadetofirstdraftof the delegated legislation and it shall be reviewed by another drafterfromtheDivisionwithintwoweekswhichmaybeextendedtoonemonthhaving regard to the complexity, technicality or length of the draftdelegatedlegislation.

Finalizationoffirstdraftofthedelegatedlegislation

59. Afterthereviewiscompleteunderrule58oftheserules,themaindraftershallfinalizefirstdraftofthedelegatedlegislation.

Dispatchoffinaldraftofthedelegatedlegislation

60. Uponfinalizationoffirstdraftofthedelegatedlegislation,thedraftershallobtainthesignandsealoftheAttorneyGeneralanddispatchittothe:(1) Cabinet, if the proposal to draft the delegated legislation originated

fromtheCabinet;or(2) sponsoring agency, if the proposal to draft the delegated legislation

originatedfromthesponsoringagency,withacopytotheCabinet.

61. ThedraftershallmaintainacopyoffinaldraftofthedelegatedlegislationwiththeDivisionforfuturereferenceandrecord.

PresentationtoCabinetorsponsoringagency

62. The drafter shall make a presentation on final draft of the delegatedlegislation, on a date agreed in consultation with the Cabinet or thesponsoringagency,asthecasemaybe,tothe:(1) Cabinet, if required by the Cabinet and the proposal to draft the

delegatedlegislationoriginatedfromtheCabinet;or(2) sponsoring agency, if required by the sponsoring agency and the

proposal to draft the delegated legislation originated from thesponsoringagency.

63. One ormore attorneys from the Divisionmay accompany the drafter tofacilitatewiththepresentation.


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Consultation

64. The consultation meeting on the draft delegated legislation shall beconducted by the Cabinet or sponsoring agency, as the case may be, ifrequired.

Prioritizationofdrafting

65. Notwithstanding the time frames mentioned under these rules, if theCabinetdirects theOffice todraftadelegated legislationonurgentbasis,the drafter shall accord priority to such urgent proposals and draft thedelegatedlegislation.

DraftingofdelegatedlegislationsbyotherDivisions

66. If a delegated legislation is drafted by other Divisions of the Office, thesameprocedureshallbefollowed.

Legalopinionontheproposal

67. TheOfficemayprovide legalopiniontoaministry,governmentagencyorconstitutional office on the legal aspects of the proposal on draftingdelegatedlegislation,iftherequestisroutedthroughtheCabinet.

CHAPTERV

PROCESSFORREVIEWINGOFBILLSANDDELEGATEDLEGISLATIONS

Directivestoreviewbillsordelegatedlegislations

68. A proposal to the Office by a requesting agency to review a draft bill ordelegatedlegislationshallberoutedthroughtheCabinet.

69. If the proposal ismade to theOffice directly, theOffice shall inform therequestingagencytorouteitthroughtheCabinet.

70. IftheCabinetapprovestheproposaloftherequestingagency,thenitshalldirecttheOfficeinwritingtoreviewthedraftbillordelegatedlegislation.


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71. The directive to review the draft bill from the Cabinet to theOffice shallprovide the Office with the following background documents orinformation:(1) theDraftingInstructiongiventothedrafterofthedraftbill;(2) explanationsonthepurposeofeachprovisionofthedraftbill;(3) ifconsultationmeetinghasbeenconducted,thedocumentsrelatingto

theconsultationmeetingandthecommentsreceivedonthesame;(4) ifthecommentsfromtheconsultationmeetingareincorporatedinthe

draftbill,thebasisfordoingso;(5) ifthecommentsfromtheconsultationmeetingarenotincorporatedin

thedraftbill,thebasisfornotdoingso;and(6) if legal opinion has been sought from the Office on the legislative

proposalinrelationtothedraftbill,acopyofsuchopinion.

72. If the Cabinet directs the Office in writing to review a draft delegatedlegislation, the sponsoring agency shall provide the Office with thefollowingbackgrounddocumentsorinformation:(1) a copy of the primary legislation under which the draft delegated

legislationissoughttobereviewed,ifthereisaprimarylegislation;(2) the Drafting Instruction given to the drafter of the draft delegated

legislation;and(3) ifaconsultationmeetinghasbeenconducted,thedocumentsrelatingto

theconsultationmeetingandthecommentsreceivedonthesame.

73. Upon receipt of the directive along with the background documents orinformationfromtheCabinet,toreviewadraftbill,theOfficeshallinformthe sponsoring ministry to designate a Drafting Instructor in writing tofacilitate the Office in any matter related to reviewing the draft bill.However, if the proposal originated from a government agency orconstitutionaloffice,thesponsoringministrymayauthorizetheconcernedgovernment agency or constitutional office to designate the DraftingInstructor.


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74. UponreceiptofthedirectivefromtheCabinet,andbackgrounddocumentsor information from the sponsoring agency, to review a draft delegatedlegislation, the Office shall inform the sponsoring agency to designate aDraftingInstructorinwritingtofacilitatetheOfficeinanymatterrelatedtoreviewingthedraftdelegatedlegislation.

75. The Drafting Instructor shall be the focal person for the officialcorrespondences between the Office, and the sponsoring ministry orsponsoringagency,asthecasemaybe,thereafter.

Assignmentofwork

76. Upon receipt of the directive from the Cabinet to review a draft bill ordelegatedlegislationalongwiththebackgrounddocumentsorinformationfrom the Cabinet, or the sponsoring agency, as the case may be, theAttorneyGeneralshallmarktheassignmenttotheDirectorofLegalServiceDepartment,ChiefoftheDivisionorarelevantattorneyofanotherDivisionoftheOfficewithinthreeworkingdays.




80. Ifuponscrutinyof thedrafter, thebackgrounddocumentsor informationprovidedunderrule71or72ofthisChapterareincompleteorinadequate,the Office shall seek further background documents or information fromtheCabinetorthesponsoringagency,asthecasemaybe.


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Reviewofbillsordelegatedlegislations

81. Thedraftershall reviewadraftbilloradelegated legislationwithin threemonthsfromthedateofassignmentofthereviewingwork.

82. If the subjectmatter of the draft bill or delegated legislation is complex,technical, lengthy or the background documents or information providedunder these rules are incomplete or inadequate, the drafter shall reviewthedraftbillordelegated legislationwithin fourmonths fromthedateofassignmentofthework.

83. During the reviewing process, the drafter shall consult with the DraftingInstructor on any pertinent issue that require further information orclarification.


84. Dependingon the relevance to reviewingabill ordelegated legislation, adrafterreviewingabillshallhavetheresponsibilityunderrule23and24ofthese rules and a drafter reviewing a delegated legislation shall have theresponsibilityunderrule56oftheserules.

In-housediscussion

85. Within one week after the reviewing of the draft bill or delegatedlegislation iscomplete, thedraftershalldiscuss thedraftbillordelegatedlegislationwithin theDivisionor theentireOfficeand seek commentsonthedraftbillordelegatedlegislation.

86. Afterthein-housediscussion,necessarychangesshallbemadetothedraftbillordelegated legislationandthedraftbillordelegated legislationshallbereviewedbyanotherdrafterfromtheDivisionwithintwoweekswhichmay be extended to one month having regard to the complexity,technicalityorlengthofthedraftbillordelegatedlegislation.


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Consultation

87. Theconsultationmeetingon thedraftbillordelegated legislationsent tothe Office for review shall be conducted by the sponsoring ministry orsponsoringagency,asthecasemaybe,ifrequired.

Finalizationofthedraftbillordelegatedlegislation

88. Afterthereviewiscompleteunderrule86oftheserules,themaindraftershallfinalizethedraftbillordelegatedlegislation.

Dispatchoffinaldraftofthebillordelegatedlegislation

89. Upon finalization of the draft bill or delegated legislation on review, thedraftershallobtainthesignandsealoftheAttorneyGeneralanddispatchitdirectlytothesponsoringministryorsponsoringagency,asthecasemaybe,withacopytotheCabinet.

90. The drafter shall maintain a copy of final draft of the bill or delegatedlegislationwiththeDivision,forfuturereferenceandrecord.

Presentationtosponsoringministryorsponsoringagency

91. Thedraftershallmakeapresentationonfinaldraftofthe:

(1) bill, to the sponsoringministry on a date agreed between the drafterandthesponsoringministry,ifrequired;

(2) delegated legislation, to the sponsoring agency on a date agreedbetweenthedrafterandthesponsoringagency,ifrequired.

92. One ormore attorneys from the Divisionmay accompany the drafter toassistwiththepresentation.

Prioritizationofreview

93. Notwithstanding the time frames mentioned under these rules, if theCabinetdirectstheOfficetoreviewabillordelegatedlegislationonurgentbasis,thedraftershallaccordprioritytosuchurgentmatters.


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ReviewofbillsordelegatedlegislationsbyotherDivisions

94. IfabillordelegatedlegislationisreviewedbyotherDivisionsoftheOffice,thesameprocedureshallbefollowed.

CHAPTERVI

MISCELLANEOUSConfidentiality

95. A drafter shall apply the code of ethics applicable to the profession andmaintain the confidentiality on the content of the bill and delegatedlegislationbeingdraftedorreviewedbytheOffice,unlessthereisapprovalfromthegovernment.

Revision

96. The Attorney General may revise these rules in consultation with theDivision,ifrequired.

Definitions

97. Unlessthecontextotherwiserequires:(1) “Act”meanstheOfficeoftheAttorneyGeneralAct2015;(2) “delegatedlegislations”meansanylegalinstrumentthatisframedand

issued by the Executive organ of Government including its agenciesunder the authority of the law enacted by Parliament or any legalinstrument that is framed and issued by the Executive organ of theGovernment inexerciseofpowersconsistentwiththeConstitutionbutnotprovidedbylawenactedbyParliament.

(3) “Division”meanstheDraftingandReviewDivisionoftheOfficeoftheAttorneyGeneral;

(4) “government agency” includes an autonomous body, a statutory bodyoranon-statutorybody;

(5) “Office”meansOfficeoftheAttorneyGeneral;


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(6) “primary legislation” means a law enacted by Parliament whichdelegates the authority to frame and issue the delegated legislationsoughtbebedrafted;

(7) “rules”meansRulesofProcedureforDraftingandReviewingofBillsandDelegatedLegislations;

(8) “requesting agency” means a ministry, a government agency or aconstitutionalofficefromwhomthe legislativeproposalortherequestto draft delegated legislation or review a draft bill or delegatedlegislationissubmittedtotheCabinet;

(9) “sponsoring agency” means a ministry, a government agency or aconstitutionalofficecollaboratingwiththeOfficeindraftingadelegatedlegislationorreviewingadraftdelegatedlegislationbasedonarequestfromarequestingagencyandapprovedaccordinglybytheCabinet;

(10) “sponsoringministry”meansaministryunderwhichasubjectmatterof policy would fall and that ministry is designated as such by theCabinetforthepurposeof:

(a) collaborating with the office in drafting or reviewing a billbasedona legislativeproposal froma requestingagencyandapprovedaccordinglybytheCabinet;and

(b) introducingthebillintheParliamentoncethebillisdraftedorreviewedbytheOffice.

Documents

Rules of Procedure for Drafting and Reviewing of Bills and … · 2018-04-18 · drafting and reviewing of bills and delegated legislations. 6. Notwithstanding rule 5 of these rules,