Law reform

Question 1

Political

Answer 1

Elections political parties publish manifestos.
Biggest problems tend to get legislated.

Question 2

Political Example

Answer 2

Get Brexit done
Bring rights home

Question 3

Political advantages

Answer 3

Each party has proposals ready and published in manifesto so public knows what to expect.
Government has majority so policy proposals will pass.
Proposed changes will be debated in parliament so improvements can be suggested and included.

Question 4

Political disadvantages

Answer 4

Government may not be able to succeed with manifesto if crisis.
New party may repel or alter laws from previous party.
If government has small majority it is difficult to change law or manifesto commitments.

Question 5

Why is the new party repelling or altering laws from previous parties a problem?

Answer 5

costly or lead to piecemeal.

Question 6

Media

Answer 6

All means of supplying information.
Bring pubic opinion to government attention.
Media can represent and influence public opinion.

Question 7

Media examples

Answer 7

Snowdrop campaign
Dangerous dogs act

Question 8

Media advantages

Answer 8

Raise awareness of public concern for an issue.
Raise concern about individual concerns.
Media inform and raise public awareness.

Question 9

Raise awareness of public concern for an issue example

Answer 9

Damage to enviroment

Question 10

Media disadvantages

Answer 10

Newspapers can be bias and promote inaccurate views.
Newspapers can sensationalise issues to expand readership.
No regulation on expression of views on social media.

Question 11

Pressure groups

Answer 11

Groups set up to campaign on special interest or cause.

Question 12

Sectional

Answer 12

Represents interests of workers or professions.

Question 13

Sectional example

Answer 13

Trade union

Question 14

Cause

Answer 14

Particular cause

Question 15

Cause example

Answer 15

Green peace

Question 16

Pressure groups advantages

Answer 16

Experts effectively argue cause.
Wide range of issues drawn to attention of government.
Media inform and raise awareness

Question 17

Pressure groups disadvantages

Answer 17

Pressure groups may impose ideas even if no public support.
Pressure groups may have conflicting interests and campaign opposing actions.

Question 18

Lobbying

Answer 18

Aimed at all MP’s by members of pressure groups.

Question 19

How can lobbying take place?

Answer 19

Individual messages, writing messages, producing surveys

Question 20

Lobbying advantages

Answer 20

Action may be taken by government laws introduced and inquires set up.
Greater expertise and influence so more successful.

Question 21

Lobbying disadvantages

Answer 21

Government ministers too many requests.
May be unsuccessful and delayed response.

Question 22

Public inquiries

Answer 22

Set up by government to inquire into issue of major concern.

Question 23

Public inquiries method

Answer 23

Chairperson hear witnesses and evidence.
Make decision and issue a report.
Report will state what happened and recommend reforms.

Question 24

Public inquiries advantages

Answer 24

Allows public disaster to be investigated by experts.
Good for open democratic society.
Open to public so bad practises exposed.

Question 25

Public inquiries disadvantages

Answer 25

Costly and time consuming.
Has no real power apart from shaming those responsible.
Gov can ignore report if want.

Question 26

What is the law commision?

Answer 26

A permenant committee.
Independent body.
Members work full time.

Question 27

Who sits on the law commission?

Answer 27

Chairperson
High court judge
4 commissions who are experts in law

Question 28

Where are the commissions chosen from?

Answer 28

Judiciary
Legal professors
Legal academic

Question 29

Role of law commission

Answer 29

To identify areas of law to reform.
To codify the law.
To repel obsolete laws.
To consolidate law.
To modernise law

Question 30

Whats codifying the law?

Answer 30

Bring all law about in one statute.

Question 31

Whats consolidating the law?

Answer 31

Draw acts together to make laws clearer and shorter.

Question 32

Examples of law commission reforms

Answer 32

Coroners and justice act 2009
Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide act 2007

Question 33

Law commission reforms yet to be implemented

Answer 33

NFO reforms
A criminal code

Question 34

Law reform advantages

Answer 34

Permenant independent body
Produce draft bill
Research and consulation

Question 35

Permenant independent body

Answer 35

No political motive
Investigate wide range of issues
Work efficiently together

Question 36

Produce draft bill

Answer 36

Keep law updated and accessible.
Save parliamentary time.
Take account of all issues.

Question 37

Research and consultation

Answer 37

Lead to less mistakes.
Take on variety of opinions.

Question 38

Law reform disadvantages

Answer 38

Limited success
Wide role
Only 5 members
Government often ignore

Question 39

Limited success

Answer 39

Government dont consult LC.
No power to force reforms.
1990-0% Success

Question 40

Wide role

Answer 40

Takes up time so can’t concentrate on most important issues.
Makes process slow.
Reports published and out of date.

Question 41

Only 5 members

Answer 41

Dont reflect wide view of legal experts in UK

Question 42

Government often ignore examples

Answer 42

CJA 2009
NFO Reform