Dimension: 1.6.6 Official publication
This dimension concerns the provisions by which laws are officially published and made available to any interested party. Open and effective access to laws is vital to understanding and applying the rule of law. Laws can only be properly implemented if they are accessible, predictable and clear.
Citizens are more likely to comply with laws that they know and understand. If people have efficient, effective and free access to laws, they are better positioned to exercise their legal rights, plan their actions, and efficiently resolve any problems and disputes that may arise.
Current laws should be freely and easily accessible, including through publication in official journals/gazettes. In recent times, standards in this area have evolved to include online access to updated, accessible and searchable information.
Laws should be published proactively and should be accessible in a consolidated version, including any amendments passed by parliament, so that citizens can track their progress. Alongside the text of laws, it is reasonable to expect the publication of explanatory notes and MPs’ rationale for the adoption or amendment of pieces of legislation, so that citizens can fully grasp the intention and meaning of the legislation in question.
Aspiring goal
Assess your parliament against this dimension
Assessment criteria
No 1: Legal framework
The legal framework outlines the rules on the official publication of legislation, including the procedure and timeline between its passage and publication. Laws only become effective once they have been officially published.
No 2: Central registry
There is an official collection of laws, which is comprehensive and up to date, and can be accessed online by the public free of charge.
No 3: Consolidated versions of laws
Amendments to existing laws are published in a consolidated version of the law, allowing users to access the complete text and to easily identify the amendments.
How to complete this assessment
This dimension is assessed against several criteria, each of which should be evaluated separately. For each criterion, select one of the six descriptive grades (Non-existent, Rudimentary, Basic, Good, Very good and Excellent) that best reflects the situation in your parliament, and provide details of the evidence on which this assessment is based.
The evidence for assessment of this dimension could include the following:
- Provisions of the constitution, other aspects of the legal framework and/or parliament’s rules of procedure concerning the publication of laws
- Official Official In this publication, the term “official” refers primarily to office-holders or high representatives of the executive or parliament. In some countries, the term “official” is used for staff members. journals/gazettes and/or a unified website or registry where laws are published
- Consolidated versions of laws published on an official website or in an official journal/gazette
Where relevant, provide additional comments or examples that support the assessment.
Sources and further reading
Renzo Falla Lopez and Valentina Saltane, Regulatory Governance in the Open Government Government See: Executive. Note: In this publication, the terms “government” and “executive” are used interchangeably, and the traditional definition of the three branches of government (executive, legislative and judicial) is not used. Partnership, Open Government Government See: Executive. Note: In this publication, the terms “government” and “executive” are used interchangeably, and the traditional definition of the three branches of government (executive, legislative and judicial) is not used. Partnership and World Bank (2020).
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The assessment of indicators involves diagnosing and considering strengths and weaknesses, i.e. the things parliament is doing well, and the things it could do better or more effectively, taking into account established good practices that are described in the indicators.
Read the assessment guidance to find out what to consider when conducting an assessment against the Indicators. Find out how to prepare, how to set the objectives of the assessment, how to organize the process, and more. Contact the project partners for expert advice.
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