SOUTH AFRICA - From 24 to 27 March 2026, the Chandler Institute of Justice (CIJ), in partnership with the Gauteng Provincial Government, successfully conducted the “Drafting Laws That Matter” Foundational Legislative Drafting Training Programme in Sandton, Johannesburg. The programme brought together a dedicated cohort of legislative drafters from the Office of the Premier, alongside sector department legal advisors and policy leaders from across the province.

Building the Foundations of Effective Legislation
The four-day training programme was intensive, exploring the various aspects of legislative drafting with an overall focus on achieving legislation that is clear and precise. CIJ believes that clearly drafted legislation is a platform for socio-economic growth. Sessions on the first day focused on the fundamentals that make legislation effective, including the role of legislative drafting in achieving social and economic growth, the constitutional basis for how laws are written, and the distinction between policy and legislation.

“From policy leader to legal advisor and state law advisor — all have a significant responsibility in their influence of the text of what will ultimately be the law. Ensuring that all of these drafters are capacitated in principles of modern legislative drafting is key to improving the overall quality of legislation,” said CIJ's Legislative Drafting Specialist, Heinrich Muller.

The training also examined the critical intersection of policy and law, the role and duties of the legislative drafter, and how to develop legislative provisions which effectively transform policy intent into clear, enforceable laws. Participants engaged in high-level discussions regarding the risks of ambiguity and the technical mechanics of both primary and delegated legislation, as well as amendment legislation. A key theme throughout was the importance that quality legislation plays as a catalyst for socio-economic growth by creating legislative frameworks accessible to both government and the public.

A Shared Commitment to Legislative Capacity
The programme brought together participants from diverse roles across the Gauteng justice ecosystem, reflecting the collaborative and cross-functional nature of effective law-making. By bridging the gap between theoretical policy and technical execution through rigorous practical drafting exercises, officials were equipped with vital new tools to elevate their professional skills and contribute more effectively to governance and the continued growth of Gauteng Province.

Voices From the Programme
“I can’t overstate the importance of legislative drafting. It is a scarce skill that needs to be nurtured,” said Geert Kuit, Gauteng Chief Director: State Law Advisory Services.

Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with many highlighting the immense value gained from the course's hands-on, practical nature. Attendees noted that the training successfully unlocked a more profound understanding of the internal architecture of legislation and its complex building blocks. Participants described the programme as practical, in-depth, and directly applicable to their work. 

Strengthening legislative capacity is not abstract training. It is an investment in institutional resilience and the rule of law.