Law Reform

Question 1

Influences on Parliament

Answer 1

• Pressure groups
• Public opinion/The Media
• Political Parties
• Lobbyists
• Trade Unions

Question 2

Pressure groups definition

Answer 2

• Groups concerned with particular issues may try to influence law-making
• Variety of tactics to promote a cause and bring matters to attention of the public/government e.g petitions or public stunts

Question 3

Pressure groups examples

Answer 3

Fathers 4 Justice - campaigned against maintenance payments and wanted more access to children, had a positive influence

Fox hunting - 2 conflicting groups, League against Cruel Sports wanted fox hunting banning and the Countryside Alliance wanted to keep it. Led to the Hunting Act 2004

Question 4

Public opinion/the media definition

Answer 4

• Can make feelings known by writing to MP’s, Ministers and newspapers.
• Media can heavily influence law reform as they add weight to public opinion, lead to increase public support

Question 5

Public opinion/the media examples

Answer 5

Dangerous dogs act 1991 created as media spread dog attacks

Sarah’s law - parents of child killed and raped by sexual offender went to the media and now people have rights to know of sexual offenders in their local area

Claires law - woman killed by her partner who had been previously convicted of DV, can now find out if someone has been convicted previously

Question 6

Political parties definition

Answer 6

• Before an election a party publishes a manifesto saying what they’re going to carry out if elected to persuade people
• The bigger the party, the more influence they have on law reform