Primary legislation is law made by the legislative branch of government. This contrasts with secondary legislation, which is usually made by the executive branch. Secondary (or delegated) legislation must be authorised by primary legislation, and conform to boundaries it has laid down.
In the United Kingdom, and other Commonwealth nations, primary legislation takes the form of an Act of Parliament, and in the United States, it is (at federal level) an Act of Congress. In European Union law, the founding treaties are the main primary legislation.
Section 21(1) of the Human Rights Act 1998 contains a definition of "primary legislation".
Famous quotes containing the words primary and/or legislation:
“The primary function of myth is to validate an existing social order. Myth enshrines conservative social values, raising tradition on a pedestal. It expresses and confirms, rather than explains or questions, the sources of cultural attitudes and values.... Because myth anchors the present in the past it is a sociological charter for a future society which is an exact replica of the present one.”
—Ann Oakley (b. 1944)
“Strictly speaking, one cannot legislate love, but what one can do is legislate fairness and justice. If legislation does not prohibit our living side by side, sooner or later your child will fall on the pavement and I’ll be the one to pick her up. Or one of my children will not be able to get into the house and you’ll have to say, “Stop here until your mom comes here.” Legislation affords us the chance to see if we might love each other.”
—Maya Angelou (b. 1928)