summary

• 1. Parliamentary Sovereignty

  •Definition: Parliament is the supreme law-making body in the UK; it can make, amend, or repeal any law.

  •Key Features:

  •No Parliament can bind its successor.

  •Courts cannot challenge the validity of an Act of Parliament.

  •Parliamentary laws override conflicting laws.
• 2. Structure of Parliament

  •House of Commons (HOC): Elected MPs; main legislative authority.

  •House of Lords (HOL): Unelected members, including life peers, bishops, and hereditary peers; acts as a revising chamber.

  •The Monarch: Ceremonial role; provides Royal Assent.
• 3. The Legislative Process

  The process includes several stages to ensure thorough scrutiny and democratic legitimacy:

  1. Green Paper:

  •Consultation document outlining proposals for new legislation.

  •Invites feedback from stakeholders and the public.

  2. White Paper:

  •Firm government proposals following consultations in the Green Paper.

  •Indicates the direction of the legislation.
• 3. First Reading:

  •Formal introduction of the Bill in either the HOC or HOL.

  •Title and main aims are presented; no debate.

  4. Second Reading:

  •Main debate on the Bill’s principles.

  •Vote held at the end; a majority is required for the Bill to progress.

  5. Committee Stage:

  •Detailed examination by a Public Bill Committee or the Committee of the Whole House (for important Bills).

  •Amendments can be made.
• 6. Report Stage:

  •Further consideration of the Bill and any amendments.

  •Opportunity for MPs or Lords not involved in the committee to contribute.

  7. Third Reading:

  •Final debate on the Bill in its amended form.

  •No further changes; focuses on the overall content.

  8. House of Lords:

  •Bill undergoes similar stages in the HOL.

  •Lords can delay but not block legislation due to the Parliament Acts 1911 & 1949.

  9. Royal Assent:

  •Final approval by the Monarch.

  •Once granted, the Bill becomes an Act of Parliament.
• 4. Types of Bills

  1. Public Bills:

  •Affect the general public.

  •Introduced by government ministers (e.g., Education Act).

  2. Private Bills:

  •Affect only specific individuals or organizations (e.g., Local Authority Bills).

  3. Hybrid Bills:

  •Mixture of public and private characteristics.

  •Often used for large infrastructure projects (e.g., HS2 Rail Bill).

  4. Private Member’s Bills:

  •Introduced by individual MPs or Lords.

  •Limited parliamentary time; success rate is low (e.g., Abortion Act 1967).
• 5. Strengths of Parliamentary Law Making

  •Democratic: Elected representatives in the HOC; accountable to the public.

  •Thorough Scrutiny: Multi-stage process reduces errors and ensures detailed consideration.

  •Flexibility: Allows rapid legislation in emergencies (e.g., Coronavirus Act 2020).

  •Public Input: Green and White Papers enable consultation.
• 6. Weaknesses of Parliamentary Law Making

  •Time-Consuming: Lengthy process can delay necessary reforms.

  •Complexity: Legislation is often detailed and difficult to interpret.

  •Dominance by Government: Majority control in the HOC reduces checks on government bills.

  •HOL’s Unelected Role: Criticized for lack of democratic 
• 7. Influences on Parliamentary Law Making

  1.Political Influence:

  •Government’s manifesto commitments guide legislative priorities.

  •Example: Brexit-related legislation after the 2016 referendum.

  2.Public Opinion and Media:

  •Public pressure can prompt legislative change (e.g., Dangerous Dogs Act 1991).

  •Media highlights social issues.
• influences on parliamentary law making

  3.Pressure Groups:

  •Sectional Groups: Represent specific interests (e.g., trade unions).

  •Cause Groups: Promote specific causes (e.g., Greenpeace).

  •Use lobbying, petitions, and protests.

  4.Law Reform Bodies:

  •Law Commission: Independent body recommending law reforms.

  •Example: Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (partial reform based on its proposals).

  5.EU Law and International Obligations:

  •Historically, EU directives influenced UK laws (e.g., Working Time Regulations 1998).

  •Post-Brexit, international treaties may guide legislation.
• 8. Case Studies and Examples

  1.Hunting Act 2004:

  •Passed using the Parliament Acts after the HOL initially blocked it.

  •Highlights limits of HOL power.

  2.Dangerous Dogs Act 1991:

  •Example of rushed legislation due to media pressure.

  •Widely criticized for being poorly drafted.

  3.Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013:

  •Demonstrates changing societal attitudes influencing law-making.

  4.Human Rights Act 1998:

  •Incorporates the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law.
• 9. Key Legislation Impacting Law Making

  •Parliament Acts 1911 & 1949:

  •Limits HOL’s power to delay legislation to one year.

  •Human Rights Act 1998:

  •All laws must be compatible with the ECHR.

  •European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018:

  •Ends the supremacy of EU law post-Brexit.