Statutory instruments

A statutory instrument (SI) is a common form of secondary, or delegated, legislation. An Act of Parliament gives the authority to make an SI and sets the matters it can cover and the procedure it must follow.

SIs are used to make detailed legal changes under powers set out in an Act. Each SI is published with an explanatory note describing its effect in simpler language.

Parliamentary procedures

The Act that gives the power also determines the procedure. Common procedures include:

• Affirmative procedure: Parliament must actively approve the SI. In some cases approval is needed before it takes effect; the exact timing depends on the Act.
• Negative procedure: the SI can take effect unless Parliament objects within the period set by the relevant procedure.
• No parliamentary procedure: some SIs do not require either of those forms of parliamentary approval.

These are broad descriptions. Check the relevant Act and the individual SI for its exact procedure and dates.

Find the official text

Use the UK Parliament's overview of secondary legislation and its guide to delegated legislation and statutory instruments. Current SI texts and explanatory material are available through legislation.gov.uk.

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