Legislative Drafting Guidelines
National and supranational drafting manuals, collected and converted to HTML.
97 guidelines · 69 jurisdictions · 31 with full text in HTML
Guidelines A–Z
97 guidelines
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Albania Law Drafting Manual – A Guide to the Legislative Process in Albania Ministry of Justice / Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania · drafting manual
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Argentina Decreto 333/1985 – Normas para la elaboración, redacción y diligenciamiento de los proyectos de actos y documentación administrativos Decree 333/1985 – Rules for the Preparation, Drafting and Processing of Draft Administrative and Normative Acts Poder Ejecutivo Nacional (Presidencia de la Nación) · drafting rules
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Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) ASEAN Guidelines on Good Regulatory Practices ASEAN Secretariat / ASEAN Consultative Committee for Standards and Quality (ACCSQ) · regulatory policy guidelines
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Australia OPC Drafting Directions Office of Parliamentary Counsel (Commonwealth) · drafting directions
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Australia OPC Drafting Manual Office of Parliamentary Counsel (Commonwealth) · drafting manual · 3.2
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Austria Legistische Richtlinien 1990 Legislative Drafting Guidelines 1990 Bundeskanzleramt-Verfassungsdienst · drafting guidelines · 1990
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Belgium Principes de technique législative – Guide de rédaction des textes législatifs et réglementaires Principles of Legislative Technique – Guide to Drafting Legislative and Regulatory Texts Conseil d'État / Raad van State (Section de législation) · drafting guide
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Belgium Vade-mecum de la procédure d'avis devant la section de législation du Conseil d'État Vade-mecum of the Advisory Procedure before the Legislation Section of the Council of State Conseil d'État / Raad van State · procedural handbook
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Bosnia and Herzegovina Manual for Drafting Legislation (Technical Requirements and Style) Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina · drafting manual
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Brazil Decreto nº 12.002, de 22 de abril de 2024 Decree No. 12,002 of 22 April 2024 establishing rules for drafting, wording, amending, and consolidating normative acts Presidência da República (Casa Civil) · drafting rules
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Brazil Lei Complementar nº 95, de 26 de fevereiro de 1998 Complementary Law No. 95 of 1998 on the drafting, wording, amendment and consolidation of laws Congresso Nacional / Presidência da República · drafting law
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Brazil Manual de Redação da Presidência da República Drafting Manual of the Presidency of the Republic Presidência da República (Casa Civil, Subchefia para Assuntos Jurídicos) · drafting manual · 3ª edição, revista, atualizada e ampliada (2018)
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Bulgaria Закон за нормативните актове Law on Normative Acts Народно събрание (National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria) · drafting law
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Canada Guide fédéral de jurilinguistique législative française Department of Justice Canada, Legislative Services Branch · drafting guide
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Colombia Manual para la elaboración de textos normativos – Proyectos de decreto y resolución (Decreto 1345 de 2010 / Decreto 1081 de 2015) Manual for Drafting Normative Texts – Draft Decrees and Resolutions Presidencia de la República / Ministerio del Interior y de Justicia · drafting manual
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Commonwealth of Nations Commonwealth Legislative Drafting Manual Commonwealth Secretariat · drafting manual · 1st edition (ISBN 9781848599635)
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Council of Europe Rule of Law Checklist European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) · legislative quality checklist · CDL-AD(2016)007
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Croatia Jedinstvena metodološko-nomotehnička pravila za izradu akata koje donosi Hrvatski sabor Unified Methodological and Nomotechnical Rules for Drafting Acts Enacted by the Croatian Parliament Hrvatski sabor (Croatian Parliament) · drafting rules · NN 74/2015
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Cyprus Κατευθυντήριες Γραμμές για τη Σύνταξη Εθνικής Εναρμονιστικής Νομοθεσίας Guidelines for the Drafting of National Harmonising Legislation Νομική Υπηρεσία της Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας (Law Office of the Republic of Cyprus) · drafting guidelines
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Czech Republic Legislativní pravidla vlády Legislative Rules of the Government Vláda České republiky (Legislative Council of the Government) · drafting rules · Consolidated text as of 1 July 2026
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Denmark Vejledning om lovkvalitet Guidance on the Quality of Legislation Justitsministeriet · drafting guidance
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Dominican Republic Manual de Técnica Legislativa Manual of Legislative Technique Senado de la República Dominicana · drafting manual
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Estonia Hea õigusloome ja normitehnika eeskiri (HÕNTE) Rules for Good Legislative Practice and Legislative Drafting Vabariigi Valitsus (Government of the Republic) / Justiits- ja Digiministeerium · drafting rules
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European Union Better Regulation Guidelines European Commission (Secretariat-General) · regulatory policy guidelines · SWD(2021) 305 final
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European Union How to write clearly European Commission (Directorate-General for Translation) · style guide · 2015
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European Union Interinstitutional Style Guide Publications Office of the European Union (Interinstitutional Style Guide Committee) · style guide · Online edition (continuously updated)
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European Union Joint Handbook on the ordinary legislative procedure European Parliament and Council of the European Union · procedural handbook · November 2025
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European Union Joint Practical Guide of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission for persons involved in the drafting of European Union legislation European Parliament, Council of the European Union, European Commission · drafting guide · 2nd edition
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European Union Manual of precedents for acts established within the Council of the European Union General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union (Legal-Linguistic Services) · drafting manual · SN 1250/10 (2010)
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Finland Lainkirjoittajan opas Legislative Drafting Guide Oikeusministeriö (Ministry of Justice) · drafting guide · 2013, version 1.3
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France Guide de légistique Guide to Legislative Drafting Secrétariat général du Gouvernement and Conseil d'État · drafting guide · 4e édition (2026)
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Georgia Law of Georgia on Normative Acts Parliament of Georgia / Legislative Herald of Georgia (Matsne) · drafting law
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Germany Handbuch der Rechtsförmlichkeit Manual on the Legal Form of Legislation Bundesministerium der Justiz · drafting manual · 4. Auflage
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Greece Εγχειρίδιο Μεθοδολογίας Κωδικοποίησης Manual of Codification Methodology Γενική Γραμματεία Νομικών και Κοινοβουλευτικών Θεμάτων (Presidency of the Government) · drafting manual
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Greece Εγχειρίδιο Νομοπαρασκευαστικής Μεθοδολογίας Manual of Legislative Drafting Methodology Γενική Γραμματεία της Κυβέρνησης (General Secretariat of Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Presidency of the Government) · drafting manual
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Hong Kong SAR (China) Drafting Legislation in Hong Kong: A Guide to Styles and Practices Law Drafting Division, Department of Justice · drafting manual · January 2012
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Hong Kong SAR (China) How Legislation is Made in Hong Kong: A Drafter's View of the Process Law Drafting Division, Department of Justice · process guide · 2018
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Hungary 2010. évi CXXX. törvény a jogalkotásról Act CXXX of 2010 on Law-making Országgyűlés (National Assembly of Hungary) / Ministry of Justice · drafting law
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Hungary 61/2009. (XII. 14.) IRM rendelet a jogszabályszerkesztésről Decree 61/2009 (XII. 14.) IRM of the Minister of Justice and Law Enforcement on Legislative Drafting Igazságügyi és Rendészeti Minisztérium (Ministry of Justice) · drafting rules
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India Manual of Parliamentary Procedures in the Government of India Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Legislative Department (Ministry of Law and Justice) · process guide · Revised edition (2019/2025)
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Ireland Report on Statutory Drafting and Interpretation: Plain Language and the Law (LRC 61-2000) Law Reform Commission of Ireland · drafting report · LRC 61-2000 (December 2000)
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Italy Regole e raccomandazioni per la formulazione tecnica dei testi legislativi Rules and Recommendations for the Technical Drafting of Legislative Texts Presidents of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies; Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri · drafting rules
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Japan 法律案の審査・作成（内閣法制局） Examination and Drafting of Cabinet Bills (Cabinet Legislation Bureau) 内閣法制局 (Cabinet Legislation Bureau) · process guide
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Latvia Normatīvo aktu projektu izstrādes rokasgrāmata Handbook on Drafting Normative Acts Valsts kanceleja (State Chancellery of Latvia) · drafting handbook
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Liberia Liberia Legislation Handbook – A Technical Guide to Legislative Drafting Legislature of Liberia / Law Reform Commission · drafting handbook
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Lithuania Teisės aktų projektų rengimo rekomendacijos Recommendations on the Drafting of Legal Acts Lietuvos Respublikos teisingumo ministras (Minister of Justice of the Republic of Lithuania) · drafting rules
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Luxembourg Guide pratique de légistique Practical Guide to Legislative Drafting Chambre des Députés · drafting guide · July 2024
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Mexico Lineamientos de Técnica Legislativa / Curso de Técnica Legislativa Legislative Technique Guidelines Cámara de Diputados del H. Congreso de la Unión (SEDIA / Centro de Estudios de Derecho e Investigaciones Parlamentarias) · drafting guide
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Nauru Legislative Drafting Manual Department of Justice and Border Control, Legislative Drafting Division · drafting manual
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Netherlands Aanwijzingen voor de regelgeving Instructions for Regulations Minister-President (Ministerie van Algemene Zaken) · drafting directions
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New Zealand Legislation Guidelines: 2021 edition Legislation Design and Advisory Committee · legislative design guidelines · 2021 edition
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New Zealand Legislation Manual: Structure and Style (NZLC R35) Law Commission (Te Aka Matua o te Ture) · drafting manual
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Nigeria National Legislative Drafting Guide National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), National Assembly · drafting manual
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Norway Lovteknikk og lovforberedelse – Veiledning om lov- og forskriftsarbeid Legislative Technique and Preparation of Laws – Guidance on Legislative and Regulatory Work Justis- og beredskapsdepartementet, Lovavdelingen (Ministry of Justice and Public Security, Legislation Department) · drafting manual
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Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Recommendation of the Council on Regulatory Policy and Governance OECD Council / Regulatory Policy Committee · regulatory policy guidelines · OECD/LEGAL/0390
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Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Guidelines on Democratic Lawmaking for Better Laws OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) · drafting guidelines · 1st edition (ISBN 978-83-66690-92-9)
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Pakistan Legislative Drafting Manual: A Hand Book for Legislative Drafters Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services · drafting manual · January 2019
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Peru Guía sobre la calidad normativa y publicación de proyectos normativos Guide on Regulatory Quality and Publication of Draft Normative Acts Ministerio de Justicia y Derechos Humanos (Dirección General de Desarrollo Normativo y Calidad Regulatoria) · drafting guide
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Peru Manual de Técnica Legislativa Manual of Legislative Technique Congreso de la República del Perú (Oficialía Mayor / Departamento de Investigación y Documentación Parlamentaria) · drafting manual · 3ª edición
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Poland Zasady techniki prawodawczej Principles of Legislative Technique Prezes Rady Ministrów (Prime Minister) · drafting rules · Consolidated text, Dz.U. 2026 poz. 300
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Portugal Guia Prático de Redação Legislativa – Regras de Legística na elaboração de atos normativos na Assembleia da República Practical Guide to Legislative Drafting – Legistics Rules in the Parliament of Portugal Assembleia da República (Divisão de Apoio ao Plenário / Serviços de Apoio às Comissões) · drafting guide
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Portugal Regras de legística a observar no processo legislativo do Governo (Anexo II à Resolução do Conselho de Ministros n.º 105/2025) Legistics Rules to be Observed in the Government's Legislative Process Presidência do Conselho de Ministros · drafting rules · RCM n.º 105/2025
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Qatar Drafting Legislation in the State of Qatar: Origins, Principles and Standards General Secretariat for the Council of Ministers · drafting manual
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Romania Legea nr. 24/2000 privind normele de tehnică legislativă pentru elaborarea actelor normative Law No. 24/2000 on the Rules of Legislative Technique for the Drafting of Normative Acts Parlamentul României / Consiliul Legislativ · drafting law
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Rwanda Imirongo Ngenderwaho y'Imyandikire y'Amategeko / Guidelines of Legislative Drafting / Lignes directrices de la légistique Guidelines of Legislative Drafting Rwanda Law Reform Commission (RLRC) / Ministry of Justice (MINIJUST) · drafting guidelines · 2022
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Scotland (United Kingdom) Drafting Matters! Parliamentary Counsel Office (Scottish Government) · drafting manual · 2nd edition (December 2018)
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Serbia Jedinstvena metodološka pravila za izradu propisa Unified Methodological Rules for Drafting Regulations Narodna skupština Republike Srbije (National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia) · drafting rules
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Singapore Plain Laws Understandable by Singaporeans (PLUS) Report and Drafting Guidelines Legislation Division, Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) · style guide
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Slovakia Legislatívne pravidlá vlády Slovenskej republiky Legislative Rules of the Government of the Slovak Republic Vláda Slovenskej republiky (Legislatívna rada vlády SR) · drafting rules · Consolidated text as of 25 September 2024
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Slovenia Nomotehnične smernice Legislative Drafting Guidelines Služba Vlade Republike Slovenije za zakonodajo (Government Office for Legislation) · drafting guidelines · 3., spremenjena in dopolnjena izdaja (2018)
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South Africa Law-Making in South Africa – A Practical Guide for Members of Parliament, Provincial Legislatures and Executives South African Legislative Sector (Parliament of the Republic of South Africa) · process guide
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South Korea 법령 입안·심사 기준 Standards for Legislative Drafting and Examination 법제처 (Ministry of Government Legislation, MOLEG) · drafting manual · 2026 edition
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Spain Directrices de técnica normativa Guidelines on Legislative Technique Consejo de Ministros (Ministerio de la Presidencia) · drafting guidelines
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Sweden Gröna boken – Riktlinjer för författningsskrivning (Ds 2014:1) The Green Book – Guidelines for Legislative Drafting (Ds 2014:1) Statsrådsberedningen, Regeringskansliet (Prime Minister's Office) · drafting guidelines · Ds 2014:1
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Sweden Myndigheternas föreskrifter – handbok i författningsskrivning Agency Regulations – Handbook on Drafting Regeringskansliet (Government Offices of Sweden) · drafting handbook · PM 2025:4
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Switzerland Gesetzestechnische Richtlinien des Bundes (GTR) Federal Legislative Drafting Guidelines Schweizerische Bundeskanzlei · drafting guidelines · Version 5 June 2026
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Tanzania Legislative Drafting Manual Office of the Chief Parliamentary Draftsman, Office of the Attorney General · drafting manual
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Uganda Manual for Guidance of Legislative Draftspersons in Uganda First Parliamentary Counsel, Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs · drafting manual
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United Kingdom Amending bills: style manual Office of the Parliamentary Counsel (Cabinet Office) · style manual
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United Kingdom Common legislative solutions: a guide to tackling recurring policy issues in legislation Office of the Parliamentary Counsel (Cabinet Office) · instructing guidance · 23 October 2025
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United Kingdom Office of the Parliamentary Counsel: Drafting guidance Office of the Parliamentary Counsel (Cabinet Office) · drafting guidance · 19 March 2024
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United Kingdom Statutory Instrument Practice Statutory Instrument Hub (Cabinet Office) and National Archives (SI Registrar) · drafting manual · 5th edition (November 2017)
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United Nations Final Clauses of Multilateral Treaties – Handbook United Nations Office of Legal Affairs, Treaty Section · drafting handbook · 2003
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United Nations UNCITRAL Legislative Guide on Key Principles of a Business Registry United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) · legislative guide
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United Nations UNCITRAL Legislative Guide on Secured Transactions United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) · legislative guide
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United States Drafting Rules and Style Manual Uniform Law Commission (National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws) · drafting rules · 2025 edition (17 April 2025)
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United States HOLC Guide to Legislative Drafting Office of the Legislative Counsel, U.S. House of Representatives · drafting guide
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United States House Legislative Counsel's Manual on Drafting Style Office of the Legislative Counsel, U.S. House of Representatives · style manual · HLC 104-1 (November 1995)
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United States Legislative Drafting Manual Office of the Legislative Counsel, U.S. Senate · drafting manual · February 1997
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United States Quick Guide to Legislative Drafting Office of the Legislative Counsel, U.S. House of Representatives · drafting guide · June 2026
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Uruguay Manual de Técnica Legislativa / Manual de Redacción Legislativa Legislative Drafting Manual Parlamento del Uruguay / IMPO (Dirección Nacional de Impresiones y Publicaciones Oficiales) · drafting manual
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Wales (United Kingdom) Writing laws for Wales: guidance on drafting legislation Office of the Legislative Counsel (Welsh Government / Llywodraeth Cymru) · drafting guidance · May 2026 revision
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