A state of emergency is a government declaration that because of some event the normal workings of political and social life are suspended in a given jurisdiction. It allows the government to make regulations that are not covered by ordinary laws, to order particular action by individuals, and to suspend regular civil rights. It is similar to a state of war, which is a legal term referring to the use of military forces against a hostile power.
In the United Kingdom, only the British Sovereign on the advice of the Privy Council or a Minister of the Crown may introduce emergency regulations under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 in case of an attack by a foreign power, terrorism that threatens serious damage to the safety or security of a place in the UK, or events that cause widespread disruption (such as the December 2004 tsunami). Such regulations are only valid for 30 days and must be renewed by Parliament within seven days.
The Constitution of Albania provides that only Parliament can declare a state of emergency, based on the advice of the executive branch. This may be done for periods of 15 days, unless extended by Parliament. The law requires that regulations made during a state of emergency do not infringe human rights and freedoms to an extent that is not “reasonably necessary” for the purposes of dealing with the emergency.
During a state of emergency, the government may be permitted to appoint additional officials, such as military commanders, and allow them to take command of local government operations. It may also be allowed to ease any regulatory requirements for businesses or governments and change the legal repercussions of certain actions.
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