For example, every extension needs to be vetted by an independent court and by default it is revoked immediately upon failing to renew.
The trouble is that perhaps our societies are now so polarised we’d never be able to agree to pass uncontroversial legislation without partisan horse trading.
Horse trading is an aspect of compromise: you want A, I would rather not; I want B, you would rather not; so we agree on A & B.
I think it's a good idea for all laws to have sunsets, though some could be longer than others.
In the US, I see federal laws renewed every few years with little public debate, sometimes released to the legislature with little opportunity for them to debate, let alone read and verify changes.
> The trouble is that perhaps our societies are now so polarised we’d never be able to agree to pass uncontroversial legislation without partisan horse trading.
Again, some things may be more controversial than they appear.
When things are uncontroversial, I think there's usually broad agreement to pass it without horse trading. More often, I see something (very) controversial is packaged with the uncontroversial, and the reporting of the situation is biased.