1.1 Describe the processes of law making
Define Parliament
The UK is a parliamentary democracy, where laws are made up by passing Acts of Parliament. These are referre to as statutes or legislation.
Define the House of Commons
Made up of elected representatives of the people, and consists of 650 MPs. Each MP gets elected in a general election representing their own consituency.
Define the House of Lords
Members are referred to as peers and there are around 800. Traditionally a nobleman or have a hereditary position passed down. There are currently 92 hereditary peers. Lords double check new laws
Define The Monarch
In the UK, the Queen plays a constitutional role in opening and dissolving Parliament and approving bills before they become a law.
Define a Bill
A proposal for a new law is a 'Bill'.
Define the 'Green Paper'
An initial report that allows public discussion of the subject. It includes questions for interested individuals to respond to.
Define the 'White Paper'
After a consulation, the government publishes the white paper which sets out detailed plans for legislation. It includes a draft version of the bill to put before parliament.
Describe the process of the 'First Reading'
The government introduces the Bill into the House of Commons.This is a formal announcement of the bill and is followed by a vote.
Describe the process of the 'Second Reading'
The main principles of th bill are considered and debated in thre House of Commons and as vote is taken. If the government has the support of majority MPs they win th vote and the bill goes onto the next stage.
Describe the process of the 'Committee Stage'
The Bill is looked at in detail. This is done by a small committee of MPs from different parties. They report back to the House of Commons and and may propose changes to the bill.
Describe the 'Report Stage'
This gives MPs the oppurtunity to look at the committee's report and will debate and vote on ammendments.
Describe the process of the 'Third Reading'
This is the final chance for the commons to debate the Bill's contents. No further ammenments are allowed.
Describe the role of the Lords
The bill goes to the House of Lords, it goes through the same stages as the Commons. If the Lords ammend the bill it goes back to the House of Commons so MPs can decide to accept or reject their ammendments. The HOC will have the final say.
Describe the 'Royal Assent'
Once passed by both houses, it is signed by the Monarch. This is their agreement to turn the Bill into an Act of a law. The new law then comes into force once approved.
Define the 'Judicial Precedent'
This is where the past decisions of judges create laws for future judges to follow. This is based on the principle of standing by a decision.