AC1.1 Describe processes for law making Flashcards
What is a green paper?
A preliminary government report that proposes ideas in order to provoke discussion (public opinion).
What is a white paper?
A government report giving information or proposals on an issue.
What is the legislative process?
First reading - bill introduced to HOC/HOL, title read out and no debate at this stage.
Second reading - general principles of bill debated, members vote on whether to proceed.
Committee stage - a committee examines details of bill and suggest amendments.
Report stage - committee reports back with any amendments, debated and voted on.
Third reading - final version of bill is debated, vote taken.
HOL Consideration - if bill started in HOC it is sent to lords for same process.
Royal Assent - once both houses agree, sent to monarch for approval, if approved becomes law.
What is judicial precedent?
- Where past court decisions set an example or rule for future cases with similar facts, also known as stare decisis.
- There is a court hierarchy system and lower courts (magistrate’s courts) must abide by the decisions and rules made by higher courts.
What is a statutory interpretation?
Where judges in the superior courts are called upon to interpret words or phrases if they are unclear eg. Whiteley V Chappell (1868)
What is parliament made up of?
- House of Commons - made up of MP’s voted by public from their constituency.
- House of Lords - contains hereditary peers whose families are born lords, as well as individuals who have been appointed Lords.
- Monarch - The Queen\King who is head to state in UK - all bills must et approved by them before becoming law.
