This training course on Parliamentary Procedure is for elected Parliamentarians, Clerks and other Parliamentary officials, and many public policy-makers and regulators.  The course covers Parliamentary practice and procedure fundamentals and adds in-depth analysis and discussion of critical areas.

It will give special attention to those features of the practice and procedure of Parliament, which are fundamental to the rule of law and the separation of powers under any democratic constitution.

This KC Academy course also considers lessons to be drawn from Parliamentary practice and good governance in a wide range of public authorities and statutory and commercial corporations.

This KC Academy training course will highlight:

• The fundamentals of what Parliaments do and how they work
• The purposes of Parliamentary procedure
• Rules and principles of Parliamentary procedure and practice
• Standing Orders and Rules of Order for Plenary and Committee meetings
• Motions and amendments
• Voting methods and Parliamentary privilege
• Codes of conduct and standards in public life

COURSE OBJECTIVES

By the end of this KC Academy course, participants will be able to: 

• At the end of this  training course, you will be able to:

  • Understand the fundamentals of how a Parliament or other legislative assembly should work
  • Articulate the core purposes of Parliamentary procedure
  • Develop best practices for Parliamentary procedure and practice
  • Understand standard terms
  • Navigate Standing Orders and Rules of Order for Plenary and Committee meetings
  • Handle business including motions and amendments
  • Discuss options for voting methods
  • Understand the parameters of Parliamentary privilege
  • Understand and develop codes of conduct and standards in public life

TRAINING METHODOLOGY

This is a highly interactive course, where delegates will be encouraged to engage and participate, sharing experiences and establishing best practices from a comparative analysis of different jurisdictional practices.

This training course will use a range of approaches to learning, including experiential group activities, individual exercises, case studies and syndicate discussions.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

This course will be of direct benefit for elected Parliamentarians, Clerks and other Parliamentary officials, as well as a wide range of public policy-makers and regulators.  Through interactive teaching methodology, it aims to provide an effective introduction for inexperienced Members or officials while adding value (particularly from a comparative international perspective) for those of considerable experience.

The governance components of the course will be of particular interest to:

• Parliament and Assembly Members and Representatives
• Parliament and Assembly Clerks, Secretaries and other staff
• Public Authority and Corporate Governance Officers
• Committee Chairs and Clerks
• Private and public sector organisations seeking to understand the legislative process 
• Government relations and external relations practitioners

Course Outline

Course Outline

During this 5-day KC Academy course, delegates will cover the following subject areas:

DAY 1: PARLIAMENTARY FUNDAMENTALS

• Constitutional balance of power
• The role and nature of Parliament
• Formation of Parliaments
• Structure of Parliaments
• Roles and Responsibilities of a Parliament
• Governance principles in public and private institutions
• Standing Orders and other Rules of Order
  

DAY 2: PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE PRIMER

• Nature of Parliamentary Procedure
• Purpose of Parliamentary Procedure
• Basic Rules and Principles of Parliamentary Procedure
• Plenary and Committee procedure
• Standard Terms

DAY 3: MEETINGS

• Types of Meetings
• Order of Business: The Agenda
• Quorum of Members
• Motions
• Process for Handling a Motion
• Voting / Voting Methods
• Minutes
  

DAY 4: MOTIONS 

• General Classification of Motions
• Main Motions
• Subsidiary Motions
• Privileged Motions
• Incidental Motions
• Order of Motions
• Amendment of Motions
  

DAY 5: STRUCTURE AND LEADERSHIP 

• Officers
• Qualifications of Officers
• Duties of Officers
• Nominations and Elections
• Committees
• Conduct Rules and Standards in Public Life