25 March 2020
The Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law looks at two key issues in the UK's Coronavirus Bill - its proposed two-year duration, and the parliamentary reporting requirements.
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"The Coronavirus Bill is a response to a genuine public health emergency and contains the most sweeping powers ever taken by the UK Government outside of wartime. There is absolutely no doubt that the Government needs to take swift and bold measures to protect citizens, and that some of these measures will unavoidably impinge upon personal liberties in a drastic way.
The role of Parliament in scrutinising these measures is even more important during an emergency. Neither law nor Parliament should fall silent in the war on Covid-19. Parliament will need to be satisfied of the necessity of these measures.
This Report focuses on two fundamental areas of concern.
(1) the two year duration of the Bill
(2) mechanisms for reporting to Parliament"
UK: Rule of Law Monitoring of Legislation - Coronavirus Bill (Bingham Centre, link)
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