The Ministry of Law and Justice has taken a significant step toward modernising Lesotho’s legal system with the launch of the third edition of the Legislative Drafting Handbook.
The launch took place during a high-level workshop aimed at strengthening the skills of legal officers and ensuring that national laws are clearer, more effective, and better coordinated.
Speaking at the event, Principal Secretary (PS) for Law, Lira Ralebesa, described the gathering as a defining moment for the country. Ralebesa noted that recent constitutional amendments require the development of numerous new Acts of Parliament to strengthen the rule of law and national stability.
“We are building a Lesotho where institutions are stronger than individuals,” he said.
He emphasised that the new handbook is not merely a technical manual, but a practical tool to ensure laws are drafted on time, properly costed, and aligned with international governance standards.
The workshop also outlined the complex process a law undergoes before it is enacted. Chief Parliamentary Counsel, Dr Serabele, explained that while his office does not create policy, it serves as the architect that translates government objectives into precise and enforceable legal language.
Advocate ‘Mabokang Nthabiseng Sekokotoana reminded officials of the strict procedures governing law-making, stressing that no policy can be translated into law without prior Cabinet approval, underscoring the importance of high-level oversight.
The initiative received strong support from the European Union (EU) Delegation to Lesotho, a key partner in the country’s governance reforms.
Participants included legal officers responsible for aligning statutes with government policy, representatives from civil society and the media, recognised as critical to transparency and public accountability, and the National University of Lesotho (NUL), acknowledged for its role in training the next generation of legal professionals.
Summary
- The Ministry of Law and Justice has taken a significant step toward modernising Lesotho’s legal system with the launch of the third edition of the Legislative Drafting Handbook.
- He emphasised that the new handbook is not merely a technical manual, but a practical tool to ensure laws are drafted on time, properly costed, and aligned with international governance standards.
- Participants included legal officers responsible for aligning statutes with government policy, representatives from civil society and the media, recognised as critical to transparency and public accountability, and the National University of Lesotho (NUL), acknowledged for its role in training the next generation of legal professionals.
Ntsoaki Motaung is an award-winning health journalist from Lesotho, specializing in community health stories with a focus on sexual and reproductive health and rights, as well as HIV. She has contributed to platforms like “Be in the KNOW,” highlighting issues such as the exclusion of people with disabilities from HIV prevention efforts in Lesotho.
In addition to her journalism, Ntsoaki serves as the Country Coordinator for the Regional Media Action Plan Support Network (REMAPSEN). She is also a 2023 CPHIA Journalism Fellow.
