Validating SRs

When should the Validation Service be used?

The Validation Service can be used at any time during the drafting process, and as many times as required to fix identified validation errors.  An Information Sheet is available which instructions on how to use the Validation Service.

Validation must always be performed and where errors have been identified these need to be corrected prior to submission for registration and publishing on the legislation.gov.uk Publishing Service.  SRs submitted with Low Impact validation errors will attract a higher publishing fee.  Users need to allow sufficient time prior to any registration, laying or publication deadlines to correct validation errors.

For the service to work efficiently users should wait until their Instrument has finished being validated and the Validation Report has been received before re-submitting the same document for validation.  During peak periods validation may take longer due to the increased number of users trying to access the system at the same time.  If users experience a delay longer than 30 minutes in receiving their validation report they should contact the SI Support Team in the first instance.

Validation of SRs which contain a large quantity of images or tables and SIs that are very long in page length or contain a large number of validation errors can take a significantly longer time to complete validation.  For large or complex SRs, users are encouraged to validate individual sections of the document and, once valid, compile the valid sections into a master document.  For advice on how to validate sections of SRs please contact the SI Support Team.