Post-legislative scrutiny

A new report, written by Dr Tom Caygill of Nottingham Trent University, and published by WFD, analyses the frequency and the outcomes of PLS that has taken place in the UK Parliament between 2008 and 2019, in order to provide an insight into how this form of scrutiny is being undertaken.

Through HUGEN, a regional pilot process of post-legislative scrutiny (PLS) of human rights and gender equality legislation was implemented for the first time in the Western Balkan region. The PLS pilot process was a landmark in promoting a culture of conducing effective oversight among parliaments. Within this initiative, the HUGEN network parliaments were in the position to proactively monitor the implementation and impact of specific legislation.

The practice of assessing the consequences and impact of laws is called post-legislative scrutiny (PLS). This practice helps us understand any intended or unintended consequences that laws have, as well as whose lives they affect and how. PLS is critical for helping to make sure laws are effective and will make people’s lives better.

This is essential for making progress towards equality.

Parliaments have a key role in responding to the clear, present danger posed by current rates of environmental decline and a warming climate through its legislative, representative and scrutiny functions. First, through scrutiny and enactment of appropriate legislation and regulatory frameworks and, second, in reviewing the implementation of those laws. Because, where legislation has been enacted, implementation has not always matched the legislative ambitions. Further, where legislation is in force, the ambitions may not match what the science demands.

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