Legislative Process

• What are the two main categories of legislation in the UK?

  Primary Legislation and Secondary Legislation
• What is the definition of primary legislation?


  A law or set of laws proposed by Government and made official by Parliament
• What does it mean that laws are normative?


  They are based on agreed common standards
• What happens once laws are written down in Acts of Parliament?


  They can be enforced by the police and the courts
• What is the role of Parliament in the UK?


  It is the UK’s supreme legislative body passing approximately 20-50 Acts each year
• How many Members of Parliament (MPs) are in the House of Commons?

  650 MPs
• What is the composition of the House of Lords?

  805 members including life peers, hereditary peers, and bishops
• What is the significance of the Monarch in Parliament?

  The Monarch appoints a government, opens and dissolves Parliament, and delivers the King’s speech
• What are the types of Bills in the legislative process?

  • Public Bills: Proposed by Government Ministers, apply countrywide
  • Private Bills: Proposed by individuals or corporations, apply to specific groups
  • Hybrid Bills: Proposed by Government Ministers, affect general public and specific groups
  • Private Members’ Bills: Proposed by individual MPs/Lords, often used to draw attention to issues
• What is the purpose of a green paper in the pre-legislative process?


  It lays out broad proposals for a new law and invites opinions
• What happens during the second reading of a Bill?


  The main debate occurs, and a vote is held to continue the Bill
• What is the committee stage in the legislative process?


  A detailed examination of the Bill by a committee of MPs/Lords
• What occurs during the report stage of a Bill?


  Any amendments made are reported back to the House for debate
• What is the final step for a Bill to become an Act of Parliament?

  Royal Assent from the Monarch
• What is the significance of the Parliament Acts of 1911 and 1949?


  They prevent the House of Lords from blocking finance bills and allow the House of Commons to seek royal assent without Lords' approval after one year
• What is the last time royal assent was refused?

  In 1707 when Queen Anne refused to assent to the Scottish Militia Bill
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of the legislative process?

  Advantages:

  • Democratic method of creating law
  • Allows for debate and consultation
  • Full reform is possible
  • Provides certainty through Parliamentary Sovereignty

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  • House of Lords may be seen as undemocratic
  • Language can be archaic and complex
  • Law-making can be time-consuming
  • Accessibility issues remain
• What is the purpose of the explanatory note in an Act of Parliament?


  It provides an overview of the Act
• What is the significance of the short title of an Act?


  It indicates the subject matter and the year it became law
• What is the role of the House of Lords in the legislative process?


  To review and amend Bills passed by the House of Commons
• How does the legislative process ensure democratic participation?


  Through debates, consultations, and voting in both Houses of Parliament
• What is the role of the King in the legislative process?


  The King appoints a government and gives royal assent to Bills
• What is the significance of the Parliament Act 1949?


  It allows the House of Commons to seek royal assent without the approval of the Lords after one year
• How does the legislative process reflect the principle of Parliamentary Sovereignty?


  It allows Parliament to create and amend laws without external interference
• What is the role of the public in the legislative process?


  To provide opinions during consultations and influence proposed laws
• How do the Parliament Acts of 1911 and 1949 affect the balance of power between the Houses of Parliament?


  They limit the House of Lords' ability to block legislation, enhancing the power of the House of Commons
• How does the legislative process ensure accountability in law-making?


  Through debates, votes, and the requirement for royal assent
• What is the role of the explanatory note in an Act of Parliament?


  It provides an overview of the Act
• What is the purpose of the contents section in an Act of Parliament?


  It outlines the scope of the Act
• What does the long title of an Act describe?


  It describes the purpose of the Act
• What is the significance of the date of royal assent in an Act of Parliament?


  It indicates when the Act officially became law
• What is the importance of the chapter number in an Act of Parliament?


  It shows how many statutes have been passed in that year