Explanatory Notes

Legislation (Wales) Act 2019

4

10 September 2019

Commentary on Sections

Part 2: Interpretation and Operation of Welsh Legislation

Section 20 – Varying and withdrawing directions

111.Most legislation which confers a power or imposes a duty to given directions contains provision about varying and withdrawing those directions. Even in instances where no express provision about variation or withdrawal of directions has been made, it may be possible to interpret the legislation as permitting the variation or withdrawal of directions given under it.

112.Section 20 removes any doubt about whether directions can be varied or withdrawn, and avoids the need to state this expressly every time a power or duty to give directions is created. This is intended to improve consistency across the legislation to which Part 2 of the Act applies.

113.This section has effect except to the extent that express provision is made to the contrary or the context requires otherwise. It has no equivalent in the 1978 Act.