1.1 Flashcards
The Lords:
How many peers are there
How many hereditary peers are there
What is their main role
Around 800 peers
92 hereditary peers- Used to be more
To ‘double check’ new laws
The commons:
Who make up The Commons
Why is this important
How do they gain their place
650 MPs
They represent the people
Elected during general election
The government:
What is their job
Who make up the government
What is a green paper
What is a white paper
Run the country
The political party with the majority of elected MPs- Ran by prime minister
Initial report with questions to provoke public discussion
Document of plans- Includes draft of the bill
What are the stages of a bill
1) First reading- Announcement followed by vote for next stage in HOC
2) Second reading- Main principles debated in HOC- Vote which gov. usually win
3) Committee stage- Small group of MPs from different parties examine in detail and report any changes to HOC
4) Report stage- MPs vote on suggested changes
5) Third reading- Final vote to pass/ reject bill
6) The Lords- Same stages in HOL as HOC- Any amendments mean passed back to HOC who have final say
7) Royal assent- Monarch signs bill to agree
Give three criminal laws made by government
Criminal Justice Act (2003)- Change double jeopardy law
Crime Sentences Act (1997)- Minimum sentences introduced
Dangerous Dogs Act (1991)- Banned 4 dog breeds following moral panic
Judicial precedent:
What is it
What is it based on
What does it ensure
Prior judge decisions lead to a new law for judges to follow
Previous judge decisions
Consistency within similar cases
Exceptions to judicial precedent:
What is distinguishing
What is overruling
Distinguishing= Judge believes a case is different enough to not follow precedent
Overruling- Where a court higher in the hierarchy to where the precedent was set overrules it
Statutory interpretation:
What is the literal rule
What is the golden rule
What is the mischief rule
Literal rule= Court follows actual written words
Golden rule= Court modifies literal meaning to avoid ‘absurd result’
Mischief rule= Court enforces what the law actually means not just the wording
