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Rule of Conferment (Delegated Legislation)

Constitutional & Public Law Doctrines

Definition

The administrative law principle that an executive body exercising delegated rule-making power cannot exceed the explicit parameters conferred by the parent Act, nor can it sub-delegate that power without express statutory authorization (delegatus non potest delegare).

Example

If an environmental Act authorizes the Ministry to frame rules regarding air quality sensors, the Ministry cannot use that rule-making power to create new criminal penalties and jail terms not mentioned in the parent Act.