Legislation 1 - Parliament

Question 1

Define political sovereign

Answer 1

Parliament can pass any law it wantss

Question 2

Legally sovereign

Answer 2

Parliament answers to no one, it carries out great authority

Question 3

What case shows parliaments sovereignity?

Answer 3

R(Miller)v Sec. State for Exititng the EU 2017

Question 4

What are the pre-legislative ddocuments?

Answer 4

• Green paper
• White paper

Question 5

What is a green paper?

Answer 5

Proposed by the minister, the minister asks for opinions of interest groups or parties. (PM Tony Blair - Every child matters)

Question 6

What is a white paper?

Answer 6

Proposed by a minister following the green paper - a summary of proposed changes to go into future bill (Every child matters: The Next Steps)

Question 7

What is The Law Commission?

Answer 7

• Chaired by a superior judge who leads a team of four
• Created by Law Commission Act 1965
• Codify law such as Theft Act 1968

Question 8

What are the advantages of The Law Commission?

Answer 8

• They have considerable legal expertise
• Independent & Non-political
  -Draft legislations will be presented to parliament (Fraud Act 2006)

Question 9

What are the disadvantages of The Law Commission?

Answer 9

• Only a small percentage of reports are actually accted on
• Investigations can take years

Question 10

What is a pressure group?

Answer 10

Pressure groups are a body of people with a shared interest in getting Parliament to change an area of law to benefit a cause or section of society.

Question 11

Give an example of a successful pressure group campaignn

Answer 11

Snowdrop campaign - Firearms act

Question 12

What is a government bill?

Answer 12

A public bill backed by the government and introduced by an MP in commons

Question 13

What is a Private Members Bill?

Answer 13

Public Bill often on a single topic introduced by a backbench MP

Question 14

What is a Private Bill?

Answer 14

Affects a single part of the UK or organization introduced by a Parliamentary Agent law firm

Question 15

What are Hybrid Bills?

Answer 15

Private Bills backed by the government

Question 16

What does the Houuse of Commons consist of?

Answer 16

MPs selected by the public

Question 17

What does the House of Lords consist of?

Answer 17

Hereditary peers, appointed life-peers and bishops

Question 18

What are the stages of a bill?

Answer 18

First Reading
Second Reading
Committee Stage
Report Stage
Third Reading
Consideration of Amendments
Royal Assent

Question 19

What happens in the First Reading?

Answer 19

The short title is read out

Question 20

What happens in the Second Reaing?

Answer 20

Main debate, vote required by authority

Question 21

What is the Committee Stage?

Answer 21

Some MP’s with specialist knowledge examine the bill and propose ammendments

Question 22

What is the Committee Stage in the HOL?

Answer 22

The whole house is engaged

Question 23

What is the Report Stage?

Answer 23

Any amendments above are debated with a vote to accept or reject them

Question 24

What is a Third Reading?

Answer 24

Last chance to debate the Bill.

Question 25

What are the advantages of parliamentary law making?

Answer 25

• It is democratic
• There is enough discussion and scrutiny
• Parliamentary supremacy

Question 26

What are the disadvantages of parliamentary law making?

Answer 26

• The law may be affected by political influences rather than genuine debate
• Law are written in complex language
• There may have to be compromises to make sure laws are passed