Laws rooted in earlier decades continue to influence contemporary decision-making, prompting the Solicitor-General to advocate for urgent legislative reform. Ropate Green has pointed out that some statutes from the 1960s remain in effect, even though they no longer align with current governmental functions or modern circumstances.
During a recent Legislative and Policy Training, Green emphasized the complications outdated legislation introduces, particularly when new laws are rolled out, leading to inconsistencies in governance. He stated, “All the legislation you’re correct, yes, are related. To ensure that when we bring a bill forward, it sits harmoniously with other legislation. It’s not in contradiction with other legislation.”
The Solicitor-General underscored the importance of collaboration between ministries and legal drafters to ensure that new laws align with existing policies and institutional frameworks. He advised that a thorough examination of existing laws is necessary to identify outdated provisions, suggesting that some may need to be repealed or removed from the legislative landscape entirely.
Furthermore, Green highlighted the significance of proper scoping before drafting new bills, as the interconnected nature of laws means that modifications to one statute can have far-reaching implications for others. This call for reform presents an opportunity for the legal system to modernize and better reflect current realities, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of governance.