Legislative Structure
- Law
- 100 level
- 3 credit units
- 100 pages
- 6 units
This course deals with the structure of legislative sentences and how they are linked into a single legislative document. It also covers designing an outline plan for a Bill. The course explores techniques for composing legislative provisions and methods for organizing rules and provisions into a complete legislative document. It aims to expose students to the process of structuring legislation effectively.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 78 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, practical
- Practical work
- Yes
- Tutor Marked Assignments
- Final Examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of LED029, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
LED029 · UNIT 1: General Considerations/Drafting sections
The following provisions illustrate the use of subsections to contain related legal propositions in a single section, of paragraphing to differentiate cases, of the use of more that one section to cover the necessary components of the proposition.
What you should be able to do
- Order legislative sentences into a logical structure.
- Design a legislative plan for drafting a short Bill.
- Make effective use of paragraphing in legislative sentences.
- Link legislative sentences into a rational structure in a section.
- Determine when provisions in other legislation should be linked with a Bill.
- Divide Bills into formal groupings of sections.
What it prepares you for
- Legislative Drafter
- Legal Advisor
- Policy Analyst
- Parliamentary Counsel
- Government
- Law Firms
- Policy Research Institutes
- Legislative Bodies
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 3: Ordering and linking sentences in a section
Unit 3: Ordering and Linking Sentences in a Section
Understanding the subtle differences in meaning when using various linking words and phrases requires careful attention to detail and context.
- Module 4: Linking sections
Unit 4: Linking Sections
Determining when and how to incorporate provisions from other Acts requires a thorough understanding of both the original and the new legislative contexts.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 54 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: General considerations / Drafting Sections
Unit 1: General Considerations/Drafting Sections · 4 hours
Read course guide. Understand the importance of structuring legislation. Describe the basic characteristics of structuring.
- Week 2Module 1: General considerations / Drafting Sections
Unit 1: General Considerations/Drafting Sections · 4 hours
Explain the guidelines to follow in structuring legislation. Describe how to draft sections. Complete Self Assessment Exercise 1.
- Week 3Module 2: Using paragraphs
Unit 2: Using Paragraphs · 4 hours
Make effective use of paragraphing in setting out the components of a legislative sentence. Understand how paragraphing can help. Identify when paragraphing might be used.
- Week 4Module 2: Using paragraphs
Unit 2: Using Paragraphs · 4 hours
Consider factors that should be borne in mind when drafting paragraphs. Recognize what can go wrong with paragraphs. Learn how to find flaws in paragraphing.
- Week 5Module 3: Ordering and linking sentences in a section
Unit 3: Ordering and Linking Sentences in a Section · 4 hours
Order legislative sentences into a rational structure in a section. Understand how sentences should be ordered within a section. Learn how sentences in a section should be linked.
- Week 6Module 3: Ordering and linking sentences in a section
Unit 3: Ordering and Linking Sentences in a Section · 4 hours
Decide whether to use a proviso as a linking device. Identify alternatives to the proviso. Determine if linking words between sentences can be dispensed with.
- Week 7Module 4: Linking sections
Unit 4: Linking Sections · 4 hours
Order and link sections in a bill. Understand the difference when linking sections. Learn how sections can be linked.
- Week 8Module 4: Linking sections
Unit 4: Linking Sections · 4 hours
Determine when provisions in other legislation should be linked with a Bill or incorporated into it. Understand incorporation by reference. Identify when provisions can be incorporated by reference.
- Week 9Module 5: Dividing Bills
Unit 5: Dividing Bills · 4 hours
Decide when a Bill needs to be formally divided. Explain how those parts should be organized. Understand dividing the Bill into formal groupings of sections.
- Week 10Module 5: Dividing Bills
Unit 5: Dividing Bills · 4 hours
Identify divisions that are conventionally used. Determine when division might be of particular value. Decide when the decision should be made about dividing the Bill.
- Week 11Module 6: How to design a legislative plan
Unit 6: How to Design a Legislative Plan · 4 hours
Design a legislative plan for drafting a short Bill. Understand general considerations. Learn why to design the plan before composing the detailed provisions.
- Week 12Module 6: How to design a legislative plan
Unit 6: How to Design a Legislative Plan · 4 hours
Understand the advantages a legislative plan provide. Learn how final a legislative plan is. Learn how to draw up a legislative plan.
- Week 13Final Revision
Final Revision · 6 hours
Revise all course materials. Review Tutor Marked Assignments. Prepare for final examination.
Preparing for the exam
- Create a checklist of things to do or not to do when structuring legislation based on course materials.
- Review and rework Self Assessment Exercises, comparing your efforts with the provided answers.
- Focus on understanding the relationships between sections and subsections, and the use of linking devices.
- Practice drafting short legislative provisions, paying attention to clarity, conciseness, and logical structure.
- Pay particular attention to the use of paragraphs and their impact on sentence comprehension.
- Review all Tutor Marked Assignments and feedback from your tutor.
Questions students ask about this course
What is LED029 about?
This course deals with the structure of legislative sentences and how they are linked into a single legislative document. It also covers designing an outline plan for a Bill. The course explores techniques for composing legislative provisions and methods for organizing rules and provisions into a complete legislative document. It aims to expose students to the process of structuring legislation effectively.
How many units does LED029 have?
LED029, Legislative Structure, has 6 units across 1 module, over 100 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is LED029?
LED029 carries 3 credit units, at 100 level in Law.
Is LED029 hard?
LED029 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and practical work, and it has a practical component.
How long does LED029 take to study?
About 78 hours of study, spread across its 6 units.
How is LED029 assessed?
LED029 is assessed by Tutor Marked Assignments and Final Examination.
What can I do with LED029?
Legislative Drafter, Legal Advisor, Policy Analyst and Parliamentary Counsel.