Order in Council

An Order in Council (abbreviated as OIC in some countries) is a type of legal instrument issued by the executive branch of a government, often the head of state or their representatives, on the advice of a cabinet or council of ministers. These instruments are used in several Commonwealth realms, with equivalent instruments also found in countries with a Westminster system of government. Although the specifics vary by country, Orders in Council typically allow the executive to make formal decisions or regulations without enacting new legislation.