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

The government said the cap on fees could be lifted legitimately, via a statutory instrument, and that a vote would still be required if there was a challenge from MPs.

From BBC • Aug. 17, 2016

The regulations were approved by Parliament in 2004 via a statutory instrument, without a full debate, and were designed to bring the UK into line with an EU directive on the definition of wild birds.

From BBC • Jan. 29, 2016

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

From Economist • Oct. 29, 2015

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

The fact that the statutory instrument has not made it into law means the whole spectrum liberalisation plan has been thrown into doubt.

From The Guardian • Apr. 7, 2010