characteristics of an effective law
The law must be known and understood
It would be pointless for parliament to pass a law and then not tell anyone about it. Obviously, all citizens must be informed about any new Acts that are passed by the parliament. Along with reports in the media and the broadcasting of parliamentary sessions on television and radio, Acts passed by parliament are printed in the Government Gazette. In order for the public to be well informed of all laws, they must be written clearly so they are easily understood. If laws are too complicated or contain ambiguity, then uncertainty and confusion may follow. In order to better achieve this aim, attempts are made at the drafting stage to eliminate complexity and uncertainty in bills.
the law must be able to adapt to change
The law must be exible enough to be changed in order to keep up with changes in society. Technology is racing ahead at a phenomenal rate. Televisions are getting larger and cheaper, telephones are getting smaller, iPods can now do everything a computer can do. Advances in scientific research have resulted in a change in the law related to cloning. Recent Victorian law allows human embryos from IVF treatment that are not used to be utilised in order to create stems cells for medical research.
the law must be stable and consistent
While it is important for the law to be adaptable in order to re ect shifts in community attitudes, it is also important that law is stable and consistent. While laws need to change with the times, it is important that there is not too much change all at once, which can lead to confusion.
the law must be enforceable
Another characteristic of an effective law is that it is enforceable. This means that if the law is broken, there is a reasonably high likelihood that the offender will be caught and punished. For example, fewer drivers are likely to cross an intersection on a red traffic light, as there is a high chance of being caught by a red-light camera.
It would be pointless for parliament to pass a law and then not tell anyone about it. Obviously, all citizens must be informed about any new Acts that are passed by the parliament. Along with reports in the media and the broadcasting of parliamentary sessions on television and radio, Acts passed by parliament are printed in the Government Gazette. In order for the public to be well informed of all laws, they must be written clearly so they are easily understood. If laws are too complicated or contain ambiguity, then uncertainty and confusion may follow. In order to better achieve this aim, attempts are made at the drafting stage to eliminate complexity and uncertainty in bills.
the law must be able to adapt to change
The law must be exible enough to be changed in order to keep up with changes in society. Technology is racing ahead at a phenomenal rate. Televisions are getting larger and cheaper, telephones are getting smaller, iPods can now do everything a computer can do. Advances in scientific research have resulted in a change in the law related to cloning. Recent Victorian law allows human embryos from IVF treatment that are not used to be utilised in order to create stems cells for medical research.
the law must be stable and consistent
While it is important for the law to be adaptable in order to re ect shifts in community attitudes, it is also important that law is stable and consistent. While laws need to change with the times, it is important that there is not too much change all at once, which can lead to confusion.
the law must be enforceable
Another characteristic of an effective law is that it is enforceable. This means that if the law is broken, there is a reasonably high likelihood that the offender will be caught and punished. For example, fewer drivers are likely to cross an intersection on a red traffic light, as there is a high chance of being caught by a red-light camera.