statutory instrument

American  

[stach-oo-tawr-ee in-struh-muhnt] / ˈstætʃ ʊˌtɔr i ˈɪn strə mənt /

noun

Government.

1. an order, regulation, rule, etc., in some members or former members of the Commonwealth of Nations that has the power of a law, made by a member of the government on their own authority rather than being passed through voting.

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Etymology

Origin of statutory instrument

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

These could be contained in a Sentencing Bill or a statutory instrument, a form of secondary legislation which can be brought in without Parliament having to pass a new Act.

From BBC • Sep. 15, 2019

“There would be a requirement to change the date in the Withdrawal Act and there would have to be a statutory instrument which would have to be approved in both Houses of Parliament.”

From The Guardian • Mar. 19, 2019

At issue was a seemingly mundane statutory instrument containing the government’s planned cuts to tax credits next April.

From Economist • Oct. 29, 2015

MPs met in committee to consider a statutory instrument - a parliamentary measure that would authorise the Treasury to make the loans.

From BBC • Jul. 5, 2011

A whole package of mobile spectrum liberalisation, the result of years of arguing, had been working its way through parliament as a statutory instrument.

From The Guardian • Apr. 7, 2010