law reforms Flashcards
what are the different things that can influence parliament
law commission
political influence-manifestos
public opinion
media
pressure groups/ lobbyists
public inquiries
when was the law commission set up and what people are there
1965
chair person
4 law commissioners
support staff
what are the aims of the law commission
to ensure law is
fair
modern
simple
cost effective
what 4 different things do the law commission do to achieve their aims
reform
codification
consolidation
repeal
what does it mean when the law commission reforms
the lc select an area of law that they believes needs reforming and ask for permission to draft a report
what does it mean when the law commission codifies
when they codify large areas into law codes
they often focus on small areas as large ones have proved too difficult
what are the benefits of the law commission codifying
makes law more simple and accessible to the public
what does it mean when the law commission consolidates
when several statutes are combined into one act
eg the powers of criminal courts act 2000
what does it mean when the law commission repeals
the law commission will suggest laws that are no longer needed
what are the successes of the law commission
after creation around 85% of suggestions were enacted
after 1984 only 50%were enacted
now gov rejects 1 in 6
what are the advantages of the law commission
areas of law are reasurched by legal experts
whole areas can be considered not just small issues
the law commission consults before finalising proposals
if parliament enacts the reform of a whole area then law all in one act
what are the disadvantages of the law commission
failure by parliament to implement reforms
lack of parliament time
gov may not follow all the recomendations when the law is passed
gov dosent have to consult law commission on changes to the law
how do political parties share their ideas to the public before elections
manifesto
at the opening of each session what does the government do
announce its plan for new laws in the kings speach (written by pm)
what are private members bills
bills introduced my mps with a purpose to apply the to the general population
how much time is allocated to private members bills
less than public bills
give an example of a private members bill
the computer misuse act 1967
what are the advantages of political influence
if gov has a large majority public can choose what they wnat
changes are debated
what are the disadvantages of political influence
new gov can repeal old law
if gov has a large majority they can push through proposals
what is a media influence
something like news paper, social media, tv ect
how does media influence the law
if a large amount of people protest online they bring attention to public opinion
name acts that have gotten attention from the media
dangerous dogs act 1991
harpers law
clare’s law
what are the advantages of media influence
can raise awareness to public concerns
public can use the media to raise concerns
what are the disadvantages of media influence
some media gives a biased result
some story’s are exaggerated
what are pressure groups
people who share the same interest in a cause and try to influence changes in the law
what are lobbiests
communicate the views of special interest groups to lawmakers, including members of Congress
give and example of a smaller pressure groups that created an act
the snowdrop campaign helped to pass the firearms (amendment) act 1997
what’s an insider group
a group that are consulted by gov regularly
what are the advantages of pressure groups
experts in their groups
different aims
often raise important issues
what are the disadvantages of pressure groups
activities can be criminal
often impose ideas on others
how can public opinion influence the law
through media
petitions
how many signatures does a petition need to be considered in parliament
100,000
what are the advantages of public opinion
100,000 signatures=debate in parliament
public can contact mps
what are the disadvantages of public opinion
limited support
two petitions could have opposing ideas
