1.1 Flashcards
What ways can new laws be created?
Governmental Processes and Judicial Precedent
What are laws made by Parliament called?
Statutes or legislation
What are the three components of Parliament?
- House of Commons
- House of Lords
- Monarch
How many MPs are in the House of Commons?
650
What is a constituency?
A designated area in the UK represented by an MP
What happens if the public does not support a proposed law?
It is thrown out immediately
What is the first step in the process of getting a law through Parliament?
First reading
What is a ‘green paper’?
An initial proposal for a new law open for public debate
What is a ‘white paper’?
A more formal proposal for a new law after public support
What is the purpose of the committee stage in the law-making process?
To look into the Bill’s issues and suggest amendments
What is Royal Assent?
Approval by the Monarch for a Bill to become law
When was the last time Royal Assent was denied?
1708
What is the principle of judicial precedent?
To apply the law consistently based on past cases
What is ‘common law’?
Law made by judges through precedent
What does overruling mean in judicial precedent?
When a higher court decides a lower court’s decision was wrong
What is distinguishing in judicial precedent?
When a judge decides a case is sufficiently different from a previous case
What are the three rules of statutory interpretation?
- Literal rule
- Golden rule
- Mischief rule
What does the literal rule entail?
Giving words their ordinary or literal meaning
What is the purpose of the golden rule?
To avoid absurd outcomes from the literal rule
What does the mischief rule require judges to do?
Look at the law before the current law to identify gaps or loopholes
Fill in the blank: The House of Lords consists of approximately ______ Lords and Ladies.
800
What is a lifetime peer?
Someone given a seat in the House of Lords for their lifetime contributions
What is the final step in the law-making process?
Royal Assent from the Monarch
What happens during the report stage of a Bill?
The committee reports findings and another vote is taken
