Ministry of Justice Sweden High level regional seminar on “Strategies, Tools and Capacities for administrative simplification” Cairo 20 and 21 June 2007 Tools to simplify the Legislation The Swedish Experience Sunset and guillotine rules Clear language Transparent procedures Access to legislation

Ministry of Justice Sweden Rules and regulations - four levels Constitutional laws adopted by the Parliament Laws adopted by the Parliament and with authorization by the Parliament Ordinances adopted by the Government and with authorization by the Parliament and the Government Regulations adopted by the authorities

Ministry of Justice Sweden Figures laws and ordinances in effect on 1 March new or amended laws and ordinances adopted during 2006 (59 new laws and 119 new ordinances) approx regulations in effect on 31 December 2006

Ministry of Justice Sweden The Process that precedes a new Act The Government appoints a committee/ commission of inquiry The Government circulates the report for comment The Government drafts a proposal for change – a Government bill The committee presents its proposals in a report The Government bill is submitted to the Riksdag (Swedish parliament) for consideration After the parliamentary committees have discussed the matter, a vote is taken in the Riksdag Initiative for change The Government promulgates a law, which is then published in the Swedish Code of Statutes (SFS)

Ministry of Justice Sweden Guillotine and Sunset rules Immediate way to create a clear and accountable legal structure Guillotine rule – if regulations are not listed by a certain day the regulation is declared invalid Sunset rules – regulations is declared invalid by a certain future date

Ministry of Justice Sweden Clear Language A Swedish legal act is divided into chapters has informative sub- headings giving a clear picture of the structure and contents of the act uses no more than three paragraphs for each article Plain language principles avoid complicated sentence structure avoid “legalese” and archaic words be generous with informative sub- headings explain difficult technical terms if needed

Ministry of Justice Sweden Transparency Basic rules The Freedom of the Press Act guarantees the citizens access to public documents The Secrecy Act protects specific information The Legislative process The Government's bills are circulated among interested authorities and NGO: s for information and opinions before decision Preparatory documents are immediately published and available to the public

Ministry of Justice Sweden Access to rules and regulations The Official Swedish Gazette contains laws and ordinances The Authorities´ Official gazettes contain regulations The Legal Information System gives access to laws, ordinances, regulations, preparatory work, legal precedent etc.