AC4.0 Policy Changes

Question 1

Define law

Answer 1

System of rules which a particular country/ community uses to regulate actions of its members
Can enforce through penalties

Question 2

Define policy

Answer 2

G’s stance on a particular issue

Often new laws = passed in relation to policy changes

Question 3

What are the 2 houses that make up P?

Answer 3

HL

HC

Question 4

Who sits in the House of Commons?

Answer 4

MP’s
Selected by elections (held every 5 years)
- decides which party we want to run the country

Question 5

Who sits in the House of Lords?

Answer 5

Hereditary Peers, Life peers, Judges (law Lords) + most senior Bishops of C of E
Monarch awards ‘peerages’ to those who = served country + thought to be suitable addition to HL due to area of expertise

Question 6

What are the 2 types of law in England + Wales?

Answer 6

1. Common Law
2. Statute Law

Difference depends on how law = made + where originated from

Question 7

What is common law?

Answer 7

Law that develops on basis of rulings made by judges - evolves over time
(judicial precedent)

Question 8

What is statute law?

Answer 8

Written legislation passed by G

Question 9

What is judicial precedent based on?

Answer 9

Idea of fair legal system
= wrong for similar cases to be treated differently
Once judge makes a decision, becomes precedent
Binds inferior courts to make same decision
= then common law
Can be changed through an Act of P, resulting in new statute law

Question 10

What are 5 reasons that Acts of P may not be amended/ replaced in the UK?

Answer 10

1. Process making/ changing law can be slow
2. Social, cultual, moral changes in attitudes
3. Police don’t have time to investigate
4. Parliamentary time = in demand + = used to prioritise more urgent issues
5. Victimless crimes so = no Vs to report offence to police