Government Processes

• The majority of the law in England and Wales is made in parliament by a process of

  • Consultation
  • Debate
  • Voting
• When a law is considered there is a public consultation in the form of a Green Paper. From this a White Paper is with formal proposals for reform is produced. This allows a draft act called a Bill to be presented to Parliament.
• The bill begins its journey in one of the houses - it can be either of the house unless its a finance bill, which must start in the House of Commons - and follows a number of stages:

  • First Reading
  • Second Reading
  • Committee Stage
  • Report Stage
  • Third Reading
  • Royal Assent
  • The Bill then becomes an Act of Parliament and the commencement date is given.
• First Reading - Where the name of the Bill and its main aims are read out and a formal vote is taken.
• Second Reading - The main debate takes place followed by another vote
• Committee stage - a chosen group of representatives look closely at the Bill to address any issues and suggest appropriate amendments.
• Report Stage - the Committee then report back to the full House who then vote on the proposed amendments.
• Third Reading - The final vote on the Bill
• Royal Assent - The monarch signs the Bill. They can not refuse as it now only a symbolic stage as the Head of State.
• The Bill then becomes an Act of Parliament and the commencement date is given.