Stability in the law

At a time when we have barely 10 weeks left before the proposed introduction of changes to residence, the remittance basis for non-domiciliaries, and capital gains, and with so much of the detail continuing to be unknown, we thought it was high time to come up with a choice quote over the need for stability in the law.

"Laws should be relatively stable. They should not be changed too often. If they are frequently changed people will find it difficult to find out what the law is at any given moment and will be constantly in fear that the law has changed since they last learnt what it is. But more important still is the fact that people need to know the law not only for short-term decisions but also for long-term planning. Knowledge of at least the general outlines and sometimes even the details of tax law and company law are often important for business plans which will bear fruit only years later. Stability in the law is essential if people are to be guided by the law in their long term decisions."

Joseph Raz, "The Rule of Law and its Virtue" (1977) 93 LQR, pp. 195-202