Acts of Parliament Flashcards
Give an example of a ‘short title’?
Bribery Act 2010
Appropriation Act 2009
What is a ‘long title’?
The long version under the short title, e.g. Bribery Act 2010 is the short title and ‘An Act to make provision about offences relating to bribery; and for connected purposes.’ is the long title.
What is the difference between:
Appropriation Act 2009
Appropriation (No. 2) Act 2009
The No. 2 means that it was the second Act released that year.
What is a portfolio Act?
An act that deals with different areas of law or policy being dealt with. E.g. Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
What is the date of royal assent?
When the King signs the Act, giving it ‘Royal Assent’. It is when a Bill becomes an Act and it is passed or enacted.
What is the meaning of the year at the end of an Act?
The year is taken from the date of the Royal Assent.
What do Schedules usually contain?
Details of figures and other precise information or listing other Acts which have been revoked or amended by the new Act.
What is the commencement section?
The commencement section shows when parts of the Act are being brought into force or ‘commenced’.
What is the Definitions section for?
It is for parliamentary draftsmen to define words and phrases in an interpretation/definition section.
Can amendments be put into an existing statute without repealing it?
Yes, this is common. They add an A, B or C etc to the number entry to avoid confusion, e.g. 71A 71B 72.
Where are the territories placed in an Act?
In the Extent section.
Where else can you find information on an Act?
The website of the sponsoring government department or websites of organisations that contributed to the consultations before the Bill was passed.
