PastPaper.workedSolution
Delegated (or secondary) legislation is law made by executive bodies under powers granted by Parliament in an Enabling (or Parent) Act. Because these laws are made by unelected bodies, robust controls are vital to maintain the separation of powers and democratic accountability. Parliamentary and judicial controls operate differently, each with distinct strengths and weaknesses.
Parliamentary Controls (Preventive / Inherent Control):
1. The Parent Act: Parliament has ultimate control as it can draft the Parent Act strictly, limiting the scope of power, the procedures to be followed, and who may exercise the power. However, modern Acts are often broad, giving ministers wide-ranging powers.
2. Affirmative Resolution Procedure: Requires a formal vote of approval from one or both Houses before the statutory instrument (SI) becomes law. This is highly democratic but rarely used due to Parliamentary time constraints.
3. Negative Resolution Procedure: The SI automatically becomes law unless a motion (a prayer) is put forward to annul it within 40 days. While common, it is passive; many SIs pass without any scrutiny or debate.
4. Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments (Scrutiny Committee): Reviews all SIs to ensure they do not exceed their powers, impose taxes, or contain unusual features. However, it can only report back to Parliament; it has no power to amend or reject the legislation, and it cannot comment on the policy merits.
Judicial Controls (Reactive / Legal Control):
Courts exercise control via Judicial Review on the grounds of ultra vires (beyond the powers):
1. Substantive Ultra Vires: The secondary legislation goes beyond the specific powers granted by the Enabling Act. For example, in Attorney-General v Fulham Corporation (1921), a power to provide washhouses did not authorize a commercial laundry service.
2. Procedural Ultra Vires: The decision-maker failed to follow mandatory procedural steps set out in the Parent Act. For example, in the Aylesbury Mushrooms case (1972), the minister failed to consult required representative organizations before making the order.
3. Unreasonableness: Based on the Wednesbury principle, where a piece of delegated legislation is so irrational that no reasonable authority could have made it (e.g., Rogers v Swindon NHS Primary Care Trust).
Evaluation & Comparison:
Parliamentary controls are preventive (acting before the law takes full effect) but are undermined by a lack of time, technical expertise, and the sheer volume of SIs produced annually (often over 3,000). The executive usually commands a majority in the House of Commons, which can make parliamentary scrutiny politically compliant.
In contrast, judicial controls are highly objective, rigorous, and legally binding. They can declare invalid any legislation that breaches parliamentary intent. However, judicial controls are entirely reactive. A case must be brought by an individual with sufficient standing (locus standi), which is highly expensive, time-consuming, and depends on public awareness.
Conclusion:
Neither control is fully effective on its own. Parliamentary controls are weak in detail but politically democratic, whereas judicial controls are legally potent but restricted by cost, accessibility, and the retrospective nature of litigation. Thus, they must be viewed as complementary rather than one being strictly superior to the other.
PastPaper.markingScheme
Level 5 (13-15 marks): Detailed, highly analytical, and well-structured response. Demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of both parliamentary and judicial controls. Incorporates accurate legal terminology and relevant case examples (e.g., Fulham Corporation, Aylesbury Mushrooms). Offers a balanced, critical evaluation comparing their effectiveness, leading to a logical conclusion.
Level 4 (10-12 marks): Good knowledge of parliamentary and judicial controls. Clearly explains several control methods (e.g., negative/affirmative resolutions, ultra vires). Evaluation is present and structured, though it may slightly favour one side or lack the nuanced depth of Level 5.
Level 3 (7-9 marks): Demonstrates a solid descriptive understanding of the controls. Some attempt to contrast parliamentary and judicial mechanisms, but the response is largely descriptive with limited evaluation or sparse use of case law.
Level 2 (4-6 marks): Basic description of delegated legislation and its controls. May contain inaccuracies or omit major control mechanisms entirely (e.g., missing judicial review or scrutiny committees). Evaluation is minimal or absent.
Level 1 (1-3 marks): Fragmented, superficial answer showing limited knowledge of the topic. No real evaluation.