Drafting

UK Explanatory Memorandum Template & Guidance Notes

In preparing the Explanatory Memoranda (EM) for Statutory Instruments (SIs) departments should ensure that they do not repeat the content of the Explanatory Note which appears at the end of the SI. Your explanation should be concise but comprehensive and proportionate to the significance of the subject matter.  In general the EM should not exceed 4-6 pages.

EMs are submitted to the SI Registrar along with their associated SI. The SI Registration team checks that the EM submitted conforms with the specified standards in the EM Template and then approves the EM for publication alongside the SI on legislation.gov.uk.

A standard Template for the production of EMs is available for download. The titles and order of the individual EM section headings are fixed.  The downloadable document Guidance Notes for preparing Explanatory Memoranda for Statutory Instruments provides guidance on what each section should contain and information on how to use the EM Template.  Users are advised to read this guidance in full before working with the EM Template.