Collaborative Law Making

The Goa Project8 February 2014

Kanan Dhru

What are your initial reactions when you hear ‘law-making?’

How does it work?

Indian Legislative Process

Is it really a Rocket Science?

Structure of a typical Law

Drafting of the Bill: Components I

1) Basic Organisation:– Logical flow, Cohesive

2) Title:– “An Act Establishing Indian Institute of

Management”3) Statement of Purpose– “The purpose of this law is to provide for the

regulatory basis…”4) Sections– Section 1• (a)

– (1)» (i)

Basic Principles

• Simplicity– Short, familiar words and phrases, avoid jargons– Active tense

• Conciseness– Use the shortest sentence possible to convey the

meaning• Consistency– Be consistent in your language– Do not interchange numbers, sequences

Now let’s begin!

Activity

• Each group is given a set of documents to discuss a particular law.

• The groups will have to come up with a new innovative approach to an existing law.

Brainstorming

• What changes would you like to make in the– Information Technology Act, 2000– Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act, 2013– Land Acquisition (Amendment) Act, 2013

• What are the 3 to 4 areas within these laws you want to change?

Finalisation

• Finalise your ideas and create a final draft for presentation

Presentations and Feedback