WHAT IS A LEGAL REGISTER?

How to Compile a Legal Register?

With new legislation that is published almost daily by the UK Government on www.legislation.gov.uk, it is no easy feat to ensure that your organisation is remaining compliant with the legislation that is relevant to your business processes.

The legislation for the United Kingdom is divided into four jurisdictions: UK, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. There is no category for Great Britain, nor, for that matter, England, which explains why the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 are listed under the UK, as are the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020, even though the latter do not apply to Northern Ireland.

Once your organisation has defined the relevant and applicable requirements, then you can assess how your organisation will comply – what the practical steps are that allow you to know that your organisation complies.  This might include inspections, training, documentation, reports, plans or procedures.  These are the actionable requirements – things someone must do.  

Health and Safety and Environment management standards including ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 do not specifically require organisation’s to maintain legal registers but doing so is one of the most efficient and cost-effective ways of meeting their demands that participating organisation’s can identify, access, and keep up to date with the legal and other requirements that apply to their sector. A register can also be a valuable tool when it comes to preparing for a compliance audit or when organising training courses.