AC1.1

Question 1

Parliament is made up of:

Answer 1

House of Commons: made up of MPs voted in by the public from their constituency

House Of Lords: contains hereditary peers who’s families are born lords as well as individuals who have been appointed Lords (i.e. lord sugar)

Monarch: the queen/king who is head of state in the uk. All bills have to get approval from the monarch before being passed as a law.

Question 2

To create a new law, it starts with…

Answer 2

A Green Paper: allows public consultation Ona potential new law to be discussed

A White Paper: after consultation a white paper is created with formal proposals. This allows a draft act (a bill) to be created and presented to parliament.

Question 3

Government processes:

Answer 3

1. First reading- name of bill and the main aims read out. formal vote taken.
2. Second reading- main debate of bill followed by another vote.
3. Committee stage- a group of representatives look at the bill to address any issues and suggest possible changes.
4. Report stage- committee report back to the house who then vote on any proposed amendments.
5. Third reading- final vote on the bill takes place.
6. Royal assent - royal assent: the monarch signs the bill. she cannot refuse as it is now only a symbolic stage as the head of state

The bill then becomes an act of parliament

Question 4

Judicial Precedent

Answer 4

• law made by judges in courts. when a case appears before them they must make a judgement and this forms the law. it must be followed in similar cases in the future.
• this is called ‘common law’, that is judge made law.
• there is a court hierarchy system and lower courts (magistrate courts0 must abide by the decisions and rules made by higher courts.

Question 5

Statutory Interpretation

Answer 5

This is where judges in superior courts (courts of appeal) are called upon to interpret words and phrases within the law. they have the ability to interpret the meaning of the law and make a verdict on the case.