What is subsidiary legislation?

• A. Rules enacted by bodies to whom the power to make laws has been delegated.
• B. Legislation enacted by the primary lawmaker.
• C. Case law.
• D. Administrative circulars.

Answer: (A)

Subsidiary legislation consists of rules enacted by bodies to whom the power to make laws has been delegated. These are created under a parent statute and derive their authority from that statute, giving them the force of law. They can take forms such as regulations, orders, rules, or by-laws issued by government departments, statutory boards, or local authorities acting under the mandate of the primary law. This differs from primary legislation, which is enacted by the main lawmaker; case law, which comes from judicial decisions; and administrative circulars, which are guidance rather than binding legal rules.