Methods and Tools in the Early Stages of Legislation

The early phase of legislation, i.e. before the first text proposal for a law is drafted, has so far rarely been the subject of studies. The paper shows that visualisation methods in this phase are seldom used in German ministries. Legists (legislative drafters) work mainly text-based. Visualised models offer an alternative cognitive approach to the object of regulation. The dependencies of model elements do not have to be reduced to a textual-sequential representation. The aim is to model and visualise complex regulatory problems systematically, completely and manageably, i.e. meaningfully shortened, with the help of established modelling methods of computer science and business informatics. By using visualised models, different solution approaches can be depicted in a simple, understandable yet at the same time comprehensive and standardised way. This not only improves the design work of the ministries but also the involvement of external actors. In addition, the basis for the advanced application of Legal Tech solutions is laid. Legal Tech solutions are based on unambiguous and consistent regulations which can be enhanced through modelling and visualisation in the early stages of legislation. The paper presents a study on the use of visualisation methods in the early phase of legislation by German legists. In addition, initial solutions and challenges for the use of modelling methods and tools are identified and discussed.