The systematic process of monitoring whether the laws parliament has passed are implemented as intended and evaluating if the laws have the expected impact is called post-legislative scrutiny (PLS). When conducted properly, PLS can reveal achievements and errors in the design of legislation, gaps in implementation and enforcement, and the positive and negative impacts that hinder or contribute to achieve policy goals, service delivery for citizens as well as rule of law and democratic governance.

The Institute of Advanced Legal Studies of the University of London (IALS-UoL) and Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) are happy to announce that registrations are now open for the 2023 Advanced Course on Innovations in Post-Legislative Scrutiny (PLS). 

Objectives of the course

The Advanced Course on Innovations in Post-Legislative Scrutiny offers an in-depth exploration of the theory and practice of PLS as an oversight tool. The course adopts a holistic outlook that places PLS in the legislative cycle and delves into the practice of PLS piloting and innovations over the last few years.

Target audiences

• Members of Parliaments, researchers and committee staff of parliaments worldwide
• Parliamentary development practitioners
• Legal, legislative, and governance experts
• Civil society members
• Academics and researchers from universities.

Delivery of the course

The course will be delivered online using synchronous and a-synchronous methods. 

The course will include online presentations, question and answer sessions, individual and group assignments, and presentations from participants. 

Participants will have access to a dedicated virtual learning environment where course materials will be available. Participants will receive an extensive Course Manual.

The course will be offered in the English language. All lectures and course materials will be in English. 

Following the Course, participants will be invited to join the “PLS Community of Practice”.

Content of the course

• Introduction to PLS
• PLS in context, the law-making process, and executive-legislative relations
• PLS within the parliamentary system
• Triggers for PLS, including sunset and review clauses, and statutory bodies / independent oversight institutions
• Parliamentary innovations on PLS, including Committee work plans, parliamentary PLS Centres, Rules of Procedure / Standing Orders, PLS transparency, and PLS indicators
• Consultation, public engagement, and data collection in the context of PLS
• Thematic approaches to PLS, including PLS of economic, financial, and public debt legislation
• PLS and the Sustainable Development Goals
• PLS as a tool for civil society organisations

Timing of the course

The course will take place online during July 2023. It will be delivered every Monday and Friday of the month of July, on the following dates: 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24, 28, and 31 July 2023. Each session will be half-day (9.00 – 11.30 AM, UK time).

Certificate

Participants who follow the entire course will receive a certificate from the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies of the University of London.

Registration and fees

Standard fee:

• Full fee: £ 650. 
• Early bird fee (until 19 May 2023): £ 550.

Reduced fee:

For participants from Official Development Assistance (ODA)-recipients and staff of WFD, FCDO, the Westminster Parliament, and the devolved assemblies in the UK.

• Reduced fee: £ 450.
• Early bird reduced fee (until 19 May 2023): £ 375.