Henry VIII clause

English

Etymology

Named after English King Henry VIII, who passed the Statute of Proclamations in 1539 that empowered him to legislate by proclamation.

Noun

Henry VIII clause (plural Henry VIII clauses)

1. (Australia, India, New Zealand, UK) A provision in a bill before Parliament, that enables the Government to amend the text of the bill once it becomes an Act of Parliament or to repeal the Act using secondary legislation.

References

• Henry VIII clauses, UK Parliament's glossary (accessed 26 January 2017)