Making EU legislation more accessibleWilliam Robinson, Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, London
Lisbon , 13 October 2010
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Calls for accessible EU law
European Council, Birmingham, 1992:“We want Community legislation to be clearer and
simpler”
Intergovernmental Conference, Amsterdam, 1997:“the quality of drafting of Community legislation is
crucial if it is to be properly implemented by the competent national authorities and better understood by the public and in business circles”
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What has already been done?
Agreement on quality of drafting, 1998Guideline 1: “acts shall be drafted clearly, simply and
precisely”
Joint Practical Guide, 2000
Agreement on better lawmaking, 2003
Clear Writing Campaign 2010
What’s so difficult?
23 official languagesAll equally authenticAutonomous concepts
27 Member StatesNegotiated lawLong, multi-level drafting process
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Why is it so important?
500 million EU citizens
Global impact
Volume of EU rules
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What can be done?
Package of measures:Specialist draftersTraining in legislative skillsComputersVetting body
Binding requirement that EU legislation be clear and accessible
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