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Questions and Answers
What does the maxim 'delegatus non potest delegare' imply about delegated legislation?
What does the maxim 'delegatus non potest delegare' imply about delegated legislation?
It implies that a delegated power should not be re-delegated, meaning the authority delegated by the legislature cannot pass that authority to another.
Define delegated legislation and provide examples of its forms.
Define delegated legislation and provide examples of its forms.
Delegated legislation refers to laws made by an authority subordinate to the legislature, including rules, regulations, bye-laws, and orders.
What circumstances have led to the growth of delegated legislation?
What circumstances have led to the growth of delegated legislation?
The growth of delegated legislation has been driven by factors such as pressure on the legislature, lack of expertise, and complexity of modern administration.
How is the constitutional validity of delegated legislation established in India?
How is the constitutional validity of delegated legislation established in India?
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What role does the parent Act play in the context of delegated legislation?
What role does the parent Act play in the context of delegated legislation?
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Explain the significance of the Delhi Laws Act, 1912 in the context of delegated legislation.
Explain the significance of the Delhi Laws Act, 1912 in the context of delegated legislation.
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According to Salmond, how does subordinate legislation differ from supreme legislation?
According to Salmond, how does subordinate legislation differ from supreme legislation?
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What does Article 13(3)(a) entail regarding delegated legislation?
What does Article 13(3)(a) entail regarding delegated legislation?
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What is sub-delegation in the context of delegated legislation, and why might it be considered ultra vires?
What is sub-delegation in the context of delegated legislation, and why might it be considered ultra vires?
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How did the Supreme Court rule in the Barium Chemicals Ltd v. Company Law Board case regarding sub-delegation?
How did the Supreme Court rule in the Barium Chemicals Ltd v. Company Law Board case regarding sub-delegation?
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What is the principle behind the exclusion of judicial review in delegated legislation?
What is the principle behind the exclusion of judicial review in delegated legislation?
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Why is retrospective effect in delegated legislation restricted, and what case illustrates this limitation?
Why is retrospective effect in delegated legislation restricted, and what case illustrates this limitation?
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What constitutional principle does the case L. Chandra Kumar v. Union of India emphasize regarding judicial review?
What constitutional principle does the case L. Chandra Kumar v. Union of India emphasize regarding judicial review?
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What is the purpose of suspending the provisions of a statute under Section 48(1) of the Tea Act, 1953?
What is the purpose of suspending the provisions of a statute under Section 48(1) of the Tea Act, 1953?
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How does the delegation of authority to apply existing laws benefit unforeseen circumstances?
How does the delegation of authority to apply existing laws benefit unforeseen circumstances?
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What does limited modification in laws entail?
What does limited modification in laws entail?
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Explain how prescribing punishments empowers regulatory bodies.
Explain how prescribing punishments empowers regulatory bodies.
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Why can essential legislative functions not be delegated?
Why can essential legislative functions not be delegated?
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What is the significance of the power to repeal laws?
What is the significance of the power to repeal laws?
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Why is absolute modification of laws not allowed?
Why is absolute modification of laws not allowed?
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What does retrospective operation involve and why is it restricted?
What does retrospective operation involve and why is it restricted?
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Discuss why the authority to levy taxes cannot be delegated.
Discuss why the authority to levy taxes cannot be delegated.
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What does ousting the jurisdiction of courts mean, and why is it not delegated?
What does ousting the jurisdiction of courts mean, and why is it not delegated?
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How does defining offenses and prescribing penalties relate to the legislative function?
How does defining offenses and prescribing penalties relate to the legislative function?
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What is the role of the executive in applying existing laws according to the Delhi Laws Act, 1912?
What is the role of the executive in applying existing laws according to the Delhi Laws Act, 1912?
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Why is the legislature responsible for enacting significant changes in tax laws?
Why is the legislature responsible for enacting significant changes in tax laws?
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What checks does parliamentary approval provide in matters of taxation?
What checks does parliamentary approval provide in matters of taxation?
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Explain how administrative flexibility is achieved through limited modifications.
Explain how administrative flexibility is achieved through limited modifications.
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What was the primary constitutional issue raised by the Delhi Laws Act, 1912?
What was the primary constitutional issue raised by the Delhi Laws Act, 1912?
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What does the doctrine of excessive delegation entail?
What does the doctrine of excessive delegation entail?
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What are ancillary functions that may be delegated according to the Supreme Court?
What are ancillary functions that may be delegated according to the Supreme Court?
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List two advantages of delegated legislation.
List two advantages of delegated legislation.
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What is one significant risk associated with delegated legislation?
What is one significant risk associated with delegated legislation?
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How does judicial review apply to delegated legislation?
How does judicial review apply to delegated legislation?
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What role does the government play in the commencement of an Act?
What role does the government play in the commencement of an Act?
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Give an example of how legislature can supply details in skeleton legislation.
Give an example of how legislature can supply details in skeleton legislation.
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What is meant by the inclusion of provisions in delegated legislation?
What is meant by the inclusion of provisions in delegated legislation?
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Provide one example of exclusion in delegated legislation.
Provide one example of exclusion in delegated legislation.
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What did the Supreme Court state about the delegation of essential legislative functions?
What did the Supreme Court state about the delegation of essential legislative functions?
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How has the Indian judiciary approached challenges to delegated legislation?
How has the Indian judiciary approached challenges to delegated legislation?
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Name a disadvantage related to the lack of accountability in delegated legislation.
Name a disadvantage related to the lack of accountability in delegated legislation.
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What is the significance of flexibility in delegated legislation?
What is the significance of flexibility in delegated legislation?
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Describe one function that may be delegated related to regulatory frameworks.
Describe one function that may be delegated related to regulatory frameworks.
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What is the primary reason for non-delegation of legislative powers to administrative agencies?
What is the primary reason for non-delegation of legislative powers to administrative agencies?
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What does the term 'ultra vires' mean in the context of delegated legislation?
What does the term 'ultra vires' mean in the context of delegated legislation?
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Under what conditions can a delegated legislation be considered as substantive ultra vires?
Under what conditions can a delegated legislation be considered as substantive ultra vires?
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What does the case Deep Chand v. State of U.P. illustrate regarding the unconstitutionality of a parent Act?
What does the case Deep Chand v. State of U.P. illustrate regarding the unconstitutionality of a parent Act?
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Why is the delegation of essential legislative functions not permissible according to the Rajnarain Singh case?
Why is the delegation of essential legislative functions not permissible according to the Rajnarain Singh case?
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What does the Indian Express Newspapers case signify about delegated legislation and the parent Act?
What does the Indian Express Newspapers case signify about delegated legislation and the parent Act?
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How can a delegated legislation be invalidated if it conflicts with general law?
How can a delegated legislation be invalidated if it conflicts with general law?
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What was the outcome of the D.S. Nakara v. Union of India case regarding delegated legislation?
What was the outcome of the D.S. Nakara v. Union of India case regarding delegated legislation?
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What does the term 'unreasonableness' refer to in the context of delegated legislation?
What does the term 'unreasonableness' refer to in the context of delegated legislation?
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What is meant by 'mala fide' in the context of delegated legislation, and how can it affect its validity?
What is meant by 'mala fide' in the context of delegated legislation, and how can it affect its validity?
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What are the two main tests courts use to decide the validity of delegated legislation?
What are the two main tests courts use to decide the validity of delegated legislation?
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Why is it important for courts to apply the doctrine of ultra vires to delegated legislation?
Why is it important for courts to apply the doctrine of ultra vires to delegated legislation?
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How does retrospective effect in delegated legislation lead to its invalidation?
How does retrospective effect in delegated legislation lead to its invalidation?
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In what instances may a delegated legislation be deemed inconsistent with fundamental rights?
In what instances may a delegated legislation be deemed inconsistent with fundamental rights?
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Study Notes
Delegated Legislation
- Based on the principle "delegatus non potest delegare" (a delegated power should not be re-delegated).
- Legislature delegates law-making power to executive or judiciary.
- Laws created by these are called delegated legislation or subordinate legislation.
- Parliament (in India) is the primary legislative authority.
- Examples include the Payment of Bonus Act, where the Central Govt. has exemption powers.
Reasons for Growth of Delegated Legislation
- Pressure on legislature
- Lack of expertise or technical knowledge
- Lack of flexibility
- Lack of scope for experiments
- Emergency situations
- Secrecy considerations
- Complexity of modern administration
Constitutional Validity of Delegated Legislation
- No explicit provision for delegating law-making to the executive in the Constitution.
- Implied authority exists in Article 13(3)(a).
- Constitutionality determined via judicial precedents from Privy Council (pre-1949), Federal Court (post-1949), and Supreme Court.
- Delegated legislation generally accepted in both pre- and post-constitution periods.
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Re. Delhi Laws Act, 1912 (1951):
- Examined delegation of power to executive to extend laws from other provinces to Delhi.
- Court held that Parliament cannot entirely abdicate its power.
- Only ancillary functions can be delegated.
- Essential legislative functions cannot be delegated.
- Doctrine of Excessive Delegation: Legislature cannot delegate essential functions (like policy-making) to the executive; only implementation of policy is permissible.
Advantages of Delegated Legislation
- Time-saving for legislature: Focus on important issues
- Expertise and specialization: Experts can create technical regulations
- Flexibility: Easier to update or modify regulations
- Local relevance: Local authorities can address local needs
- Reduces workload on legislature
- Quick action in emergencies
Disadvantages of Delegated Legislation
- Risk of abuse by the executive
- Lack of accountability and transparency
- Judicial backlog from challenges
- Reduction in democracy: Less say for elected representatives.
- Confusing laws and overregulation
Functions That May Be Delegated
- Commencement of an Act: Setting a date for an Act to come into force.
- Supplying Details: Filling in details in skeleton legislation.
- Inclusion or Exclusion: Extending or exempting parts of an Act to certain areas/people/items.
- Suspension: Temporarily stopping or relaxing parts of an Act.
- Application of existing laws: To new situations or groups.
- Limited modification: Allowing minor adjustments to existing laws.
- Prescribing Punishments: Setting penalties within limits set by the parent Act.
Functions That May Not Be Delegated
- Essential legislative functions: Policy-making and law-creation
- Repeal of a law: Complete removal or nullification of a law.
- Absolute modification: Fundamental changes of the law's purpose.
- Retrospective operation: Applying a new law to past events.
- Imposition of tax: Determining taxation rates and scopes
- Ouster of jurisdiction of courts: Removing the courts' power to review actions.
- Defining criminal offenses and penalties: Establishing crimes and their punishments.
Judicial Control Over Delegated Legislation
- Judicial review using the "doctrine of ultra vires" (beyond power).
- Courts determine validity based on "substantive ultra vires" and "procedural ultra vires" tests.
Substantive Ultra Vires
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Delegated legislation outside the scope of the delegating legislation is "ultra vires".
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Invalidation grounds:
- Unconstitutionality of parent Act
- Delegation of essential legislative functions
- Inconsistency with parent Act or general law
- Unconstitutionality of the delegated legislation
- Unreasonableness; mala fide (bad faith), sub-delegation
- Exclusion of judicial review, or retrospective effect.
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Examples:
- Parent Act being unconstitutional
- Delegating essential functions
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Description
This quiz explores the concept of delegated legislation, focusing on its principles, growth factors, and constitutional validity. Understand how legislative powers are transferred to the executive and judiciary, and examine examples like the Payment of Bonus Act. Enhance your knowledge of the frameworks governing subordinate legislation.