Constitutional Sunsets and Experimental Legislation

This rigorous and comprehensive study sheds light on an underappreciated tool of legal regulation. Using a comparative perspective that seamlessly integrates jurisprudential and policy analysis, Ranchordás has made a major contribution to our understanding of the interaction of law and time.'

- Tom Ginsburg, University of Chicago Law School, US'At what point does a legislature's delegation of 'experimental' regulatory power to the executive constitute an abdication of the legislature's essential role in a representative democracy? At what point does it violate such crucial principles as legal certainty, equal treatment, or proportionality? What are the implications for this kind of experimentalist governance 'beyond law'? These are just some of the questions that this important book seeks to answer. Using the German, Dutch and US experiences as her point of entry, Sofia Ranchordás has produced a deeply researched comparative study full of illuminating examples and rich insights into the phenomenon of sunset clauses and experimental legislation and regulation. Ranchordás's book will be a great resource to legal scholars, social scientists and historians who seek to understand the changing nature of the legislative function, as well as the crucial normative issues it raises.'

- Peter L. Lindseth, University of Connecticut, School of Law, US

'This book provides a comprehensive look at sunset clauses and experimental legislation. Thorough and well-researched, the book makes a valuable contribution to the study of these important and controversial, yet understudied, legislative instruments. The book should be of great interest to scholars, students and practitioners in the fields of legislation, regulation, public law and public policy.'

- Ittai Bar-Siman-Tov, Bar-Ilan University Faculty of Law, Israel

This innovative book explores the nature and function of 'sunset clauses' and experimental legislation, or temporary legislation that expires after a determined period of time, allowing legislators to test out new rules and regulations within a set time frame and on a small-scale basis. Sofia Ranchordás presents a thorough analysis of sunset clauses and experimental legislation from a comparative perspective, and offers a clear legal framework for their implementation.

The author begins with a comprehensive history of sunset clauses and experimental legislation, along with a clear explanation of their characteristics and potential uses. She then analyzes the relationship between these legislative instruments and a number of fundamental legal principles, including legal certainty, equal treatment, proportionality and separation of powers. This thorough exploration of sunset clauses and experimental regulations places them within a broader legal context and makes a compelling case for their increased use.

Scholars and students of comparative law, regulation and public policy will all find this book a fascinating and useful resource.