Law Making Processes

Question 1

Name the 3 parts of parliament

Answer 1

House of Commons, Lords and the Monarch

Question 2

How do you create a law?

Answer 2

Green paper - Allows public consultation on a new law to be discussed
White paper - After consultation a white paper is created with the formal proposals of the new law, this allows a bill to be created and presented to parliament

Question 3

Name the 6 stages of the law making process

Answer 3

First reading, Second reading, Committee stage, report stage, third reading, Royal assent

Question 4

What is the first second and third reading

Answer 4

First - Name of the bill and main aims are read out, formal vote taken
Second - Main debate of bill followed by another vote
Third - Final vote on the bill takes place

Question 5

What is the committee stage

Answer 5

A group of representatives look at the bill to address any issues and suggest possible changes

Question 6

What is the report stage

Answer 6

Committee report back to the house who then vote on any proposed amendments

Question 7

What is the royal assent

Answer 7

The monarch signs the bill - they cannot refuse as it is now only a symbolic stage as the head of state

Question 8

What is the judicial precedent

Answer 8

Law made by judges in courts - when a case appears before them they must make a judgement and this forms of the law. It must be followed in similar cases in the future

Question 9

What is statutory interpretation

Answer 9

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