Legislative drafting skills are vital – Malila

ATTORNEY General Mumba Malila says legislative drafting skills are critical for social economic development.
Mr Malila said Government places emphasis on legislative drafting and that it is important for the Zambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education (ZIALE) to produce the needed trained draftspersons.
He said this in Lusaka yesterday during a graduation ceremony of post-graduate diploma students in legislative drafting.
“It is not only critical in the development of legislation but it is also critical in development because practically, every sector in our governance structure requires well crafted laws to facilitate development,” Mr Malila said.
Mr Malila said it is important for lawyers to enhance their drafting techniques to ensure that good laws that promote national development are put in place.
He said legal professionals are indispensable in making laws of the land and that they do this with the help of all sectors of society.
“Institutions and individuals involved in drafting legislation need to secure the participation of trained legal professionals and take advantage of the diverse expertise and the available input,” he said.
Mr Malila said there is need for expertise in legislative drafting which meets the legislative interpretation needs of non-governmental actors such as businesses, associations and individuals.
He said to meet this demand, it is important for ZIALE to maintain a steady supply of qualified legislative drafters.