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statutory order: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

C1/C2
UK/ˌstætʃʊtəri ˈɔːdə(r)/US/ˌstætʃəˌtɔːri ˈɔːrdər/

Formal, Legal, Governmental, Academic

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Quick answer

What does “statutory order” mean?

A legally binding directive or regulation issued by a government authority under the powers granted by an act of parliament.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A legally binding directive or regulation issued by a government authority under the powers granted by an act of parliament.

A formal instruction or rule created by a minister or government department, having the full force of law, that details how a broader piece of primary legislation (a statute) is to be implemented or enforced.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

In the UK, 'statutory order' (often 'Statutory Instrument' or 'SI') is the standard term for this type of delegated legislation. In the US, the more common equivalent terms are 'executive order' (issued by the President or a governor) or 'administrative rule/regulation' issued by a government agency. The phrase 'statutory order' is understood but less frequently the primary term.

Connotations

UK: Connotes a specific, technical mechanism of government. US: If used, it has a highly formal, legalistic connotation and may sound like a direct borrowing from UK legal English.

Frequency

High frequency in UK legal, governmental, and news contexts. Lower frequency in general US English, where alternative terms prevail.

Grammar

How to Use “statutory order” in a Sentence

The minister issued a statutory order [to + infinitive] (to close the premises).The change was effected by statutory order.A statutory order [subject + verb] (prohibiting construction).

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
issue a statutory ordermake a statutory orderunder a statutory orderby statutory ordera statutory order requires
medium
revoke a statutory ordercomply with a statutory ordera new statutory orderthe relevant statutory ordera statutory order was laid before Parliament
weak
complex statutory orderdetailed statutory orderexisting statutory orderspecific statutory orderproposed statutory order

Examples

Examples of “statutory order” in a Sentence

adjective

British English

  • The statutory-order procedure is quite complex.
  • They have statutory-order powers.

American English

  • The statutory-order process is outlined in the code.
  • This is a statutory-order requirement.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

The new statutory order on waste disposal will affect our manufacturing costs from next quarter.

Academic

The researcher analysed the implementation of the 2005 statutory order within local government frameworks.

Everyday

The council said they're acting under a statutory order to cut down those dangerous trees.

Technical

The Secretary of State made the Electricity (Offshore Generating Stations) Statutory Order 2023 under powers conferred by Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “statutory order”

Strong

executive order (US)delegated legislationsecondary legislation

Neutral

statutory instrument (UK)regulationdirectivelegal order

Weak

official decreegovernment rulingadministrative rule

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “statutory order”

guideline (non-binding)recommendationvoluntary codeprimary legislation (e.g., Act of Parliament)

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “statutory order”

  • Using it to refer to a court order (it's an administrative/government order).
  • Confusing it with 'standing order' (a banking instruction or parliamentary procedure).
  • Capitalising it incorrectly unless it's the formal title of a specific order.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

It has the full force of law, but it is not a primary law (Act of Parliament). It is a type of secondary or delegated legislation that fills in the details of a broader primary law.

Typically, a government minister or a designated public body that has been given the authority to do so by a specific Act of Parliament.

Yes, it can be challenged in court on grounds such as being 'ultra vires' (beyond the powers granted by the parent statute) or for procedural failings.

In UK law, 'Statutory Instrument' (SI) is the formal, umbrella term for most types of delegated legislation, including many (but not all) statutory orders. Many statutory orders are published as SIs.

A legally binding directive or regulation issued by a government authority under the powers granted by an act of parliament.

Statutory order is usually formal, legal, governmental, academic in register.

Statutory order: in British English it is pronounced /ˌstætʃʊtəri ˈɔːdə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌstætʃəˌtɔːri ˈɔːrdər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “Having the force of a statutory order”
  • “Laid down by statutory order”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of a STATUE (statutory) being given a strict ORDER. The law (statue) commands you.

Conceptual Metaphor

GOVERNMENT IS A MACHINE: A statutory order is a specific, pre-programmed instruction issued by the machine of state to make it operate in a certain way.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
The new safety standards were introduced not by a new law, but by a issued by the Department of Transport.
Multiple Choice

In which country is 'statutory order' the most standard term for this concept?

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