Dimension: 1.3.2 Emergency or crisis procedures
This dimension concerns the procedures under which parliament may conduct business in times of emergency or crisis. These procedures may alter the regular functioning of parliament and are only to be used in legally defined, exceptional circumstances. Emergency provisions may be contained in a country’s legal framework or in parliament’s rules of procedure, as well as in other state-of-emergency legislation.
These special procedures allow parliament to adjust the required composition of its membership or other operational matters in order to adapt during times of emergency or crisis. The nature of these adaptations depends largely on the circumstances. For example, the number of MPs required for a quorum may be reduced. Virtual or hybrid operation may be introduced in order to allow business to continue. This second approach was adopted by many parliaments during the COVID-19 pandemic, where the presence of the full plenary chamber was considered a health hazard.
Emergency or crisis procedures may also require business to be conducted in a truncated or exceptional format, such as debates being limited and votes being cast despite not all members being present.
Aspiring goal
Assess your parliament against this dimension
Assessment criteria
No 1: Legal framework
The legal framework and legal precedent clarify the role of parliament in emergencies and crises, and define the circumstances in which emergency or crisis procedures can be used.
No 2: Emergency or crisis procedures
Parliamentary rules of procedure outline how debate, agenda-setting, oversight and law-making activities are to be conducted in an emergency or crisis situation, including clarification of the respective roles of executive and legislative bodies.
No 3: Flexibility
The emergency or crisis procedures allow for flexibility in the representation and number of MPs present for a debate, and prescribe the specific powers available to MPs with regard to speaking time, directives and voting. They also establish whether parliamentary business may be conducted in person, virtually or using a hybrid model.
No 4: Business continuity plans
The parliamentary administration has business continuity plans that support the operation of parliament during emergency and crisis situations. Business continuity plans are reviewed and updated periodically.
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 legal framework and/or rules of procedure defining the action to be taken in the event of an emergency or crisis, including limited or modified rules of procedure, and evidence of flexibility in their use
- Records of virtual or hybrid meetings of the plenary and committees
Where relevant, provide additional comments or examples that support the assessment.
Get help with this assessment
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.
URL copied to clipboard