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.

---

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

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

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