Laws established in previous decades are continuing to shape contemporary decision-making, which has prompted Solicitor-General Ropate Green to urge for immediate legislative reform. He noted that several statutes dating back to the 1960s remain active, despite their incongruence with present-day governance and societal conditions.
Speaking at a recent Legislative and Policy Training, Green pointed to the challenges posed by outdated legislation, particularly as new laws are introduced. He emphasized the need for coherence, stating, “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 stressed the necessity of collaboration between various ministries and legal drafters to ensure that newly proposed laws align smoothly with existing policies and institutional frameworks. He advocated for a comprehensive review of current laws to identify and eliminate outdated provisions, suggesting that some should be repealed altogether.
Additionally, Green pointed out the importance of thorough scoping before drafting new bills, as the interconnected nature of legislation means changes to one statute can significantly impact others. This call for reform not only highlights the need for modernization within the legal framework but also presents an essential opportunity to enhance effective governance, ensuring that laws accurately reflect the current realities of society.