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New Supreme Council for Legislation

New Supreme Council for Legislation
Early this year, the Prime Minister issued Decree No. 21 of 2013 (the “Decree”) establishing a new Supreme Council for Legislation (the “Council”).[1] In spite of the fact that the Preamble to this Decree refers to a previous council bearing the same name established in 1988 by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 439 of 1988, it is fair to assume that the new Council will start its work afresh as the previous one had clearly ceased to operate. The new Council is chaired by the Prime Minister and includes the Minister of Jus- tice, the Chairman of the Legislative Committee of the Shoura Council, representatives from the Presidency, the Cabinet, the People’s Assembly (when elected), the Shoura Council, the National Council for Human Rights, the Azhar, the Christian Church, the Ministry of Justice, as well as ten experts appointed by the Prime Minister. The new Decree states that the Council shall be charged with studying and preparing various laws, Presidential and Prime Ministerial decrees, and reviewing all legislative issues referred to it. It shall have a technical secretariat and shall meet at least once a month. The Decree also states that it shall have sub-committees covering economic, administrative, justice and education matters. However, in spite of the importance of legislation in Egypt’s current economic conditions, establishing a new committee or council is not alone going to add much in the absence of legal and constitutional clarity.   [1] Prime Minister’s Decree No. 21/2013 establishing a Supreme Council for Legislation, Egyptian Gazette, Issue No. 7 (bis), 9 January 2013.
Early this year, the Prime Minister issued Decree No. 21 of 2013 (the “Decree”) establishing a new Supreme Council for Legislation (the “Council”).[1] In spite of the fact that the Preamble to this Decree refers to a previous council bearing the same name established in 1988 by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 439 of 1988, it is fair to assume that the new Council will start its work afresh as the previous one had clearly ceased to operate. The new Council is chaired by the Prime Minister and includes the Minister of Jus- tice, the Chairman of the Legislative Committee of the Shoura Council, representatives from the Presidency, the Cabinet, the People’s Assembly (when elected), the Shoura Council, the National Council for Human Rights, the Azhar, the Christian Church, the Ministry of Justice, as well as ten experts appointed by the Prime Minister. The new Decree states that the Council shall be charged with studying and preparing various laws, Presidential and Prime Ministerial decrees, and reviewing all legislative issues referred to it. It shall have a technical secretariat and shall meet at least once a month. The Decree also states that it shall have sub-committees covering economic, administrative, justice and education matters. However, in spite of the importance of legislation in Egypt’s current economic conditions, establishing a new committee or council is not alone going to add much in the absence of legal and constitutional clarity.   [1] Prime Minister’s Decree No. 21/2013 establishing a Supreme Council for Legislation, Egyptian Gazette, Issue No. 7 (bis), 9 January 2013.