SLC discusses the ‘Importance of Rationale behind Legislation in the Drafting Process' with 35 government entities in Dubai

Online workshop to refine legislation drafting process to promote a transparent and reliable government

UAE, 27 July 2020 - In line with its move to enhance the legal and legislative awareness of the legal staff of the Government of Dubai, the General Secretariat of the Supreme Legislation Committee in the Emirate of Dubai (“SLC”) successfully concluded recently the online workshop titled ‘Importance of Rationale behind Legislation in the Drafting Process,’ which was attended by representatives from 35 local government entities in Dubai.

The workshop gave participants the opportunity to learn more about best legislative drafting methods and practices that ensure the development of sustainable and balanced government legislation that supports the objectives of the Dubai Plan 2021 to promote a transparent, reliable and proactive government that brings happiness to the people and supports the well-being of society.

The online workshop was held via the Microsoft Teams platform, and sought to highlight the importance of rationale behind legislation (ratio legis) and explanatory memoranda, which are recognised as a cornerstone in drafting legislation that supports the ambitious development process initiated by the Government of Dubai. The workshop received positive response from the participating legislators, legal advisors, paralegals, and other legal officers working at local government entities, amid wide acclaim from participants for the awareness efforts and educational initiatives provided by the SLC, which is moving forward in strengthening the legal and legislative awareness of legal staff in the government sector in Dubai.

Ahmad Saeed bin Meshar Al Muhairi, SLC’s Secretary General, said, “This online workshop is an educational and interactive platform that discusses rationale behind legislation and explanatory memoranda which are an important pillar in drafting legislation that embraces the present and looks ahead to the future. This workshop served as an important milestone in our relentless efforts to enhance legal knowledge, and raise the legislative awareness, of government legal staff engaged in drafting legislation; and to build the professional capacity required to develop legislation conducive to promoting an efficient and reliable government system.”

“Legislation drafting plays a very important role in the development of the legislative process. It is not limited to drafting legislation, but also includes drafting other legislative and supporting documents such as legislation rationale statements and explanatory memoranda. During the online workshop, we actively provided participants with the necessary tools needed to set goals, draw document structure, formulate ideas, adopt the appropriate drafting style, justify options, and integrate all elements in a coherent legislative text, drafted according to standard and clear rules that lay the solid foundation for a high quality, accurate product, away from any pitfalls or loopholes. The success of the online workshop prompts us to continue organising similar online initiatives to contribute further to professional capacity building in various areas that support legal and legislative excellence, based on perfection, transparency and professionalism. By this endeavor, we firmly support the national efforts aimed at making the Government of Dubai a pioneering and proactive government that anticipates a safer, more prosperous and happier future," concluded Bin Meshar.

The agenda of the online workshop featured discussions on ratio legis (a statement of grounds for issuing legislation), its definition and how to prepare it. Participants were also updated on how to formulate ratio legis, what to include in it, and the various terms used therein, in addition to the characteristics of effective legislative drafting. The participants were also familiarised with the basic principles and general frameworks for drafting legislation, as well as ways to determine the legal and factual motives, grounds, and reasons underlying proposed legislation; and ways to present arguments and evidence to persuade decision makers to adopt the proposed legislation.