5.4 Resolutions and orders

Every motion when passed will assume the form of an order or a resolution. An order is a mandatory command by which the Legislative Assembly directs its committees, Members, officers and occasionally strangers to do (or not to do) certain things. But, for a successful motion to be classified as an order it must also relate to the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly. A decision by the Legislative Assembly or any of its committees to summons a witness or produce documents is also an order. Such orders are mandatory, a breach of which will prima facie constitute a contempt of Parliament. A resolution on the other hand is merely the mechanism by which the Legislative Assembly declares its opinions, purposes and its relationships with matters external to itself. Unfortunately, the terms order and resolution are often used synonymously and are, therefore, often confused.

Last reviewed: 17 July, 2009

Last updated: 22 July, 2009

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