Legislation

Question 1

Why is there a continuous demand fore new and amended laws?

Answer 1

Our society is constantly changing to meet all situations, for example the Coronavirus Act 2020, to deal with the pandemic

Question 2

Why is Judicial Law-making not suitable for major changes?

Answer 2

-It is a reactive power
-Not efficient
-Undemocratic
-May not reflect the wishes of society
-A key principle in our democracy is that laws should be made by the elected representatives of society

Question 3

What is the composition of Parliament?

Answer 3

-House of Commons
-House of Lords
-The Monarch
(The supreme-law making body)

Question 4

Give a break down of the composition of the Hose of Commons

Answer 4

-Currently 650 MPs, whoa re democratically elected
-A general election must occur every 5 years

Question 5

Give a break down of the composition of the House of Lords

Answer 5

-Unelected
-Currently 785 lords, including 668 life peers, 91 hereditary peers and 21 Archbishops and Bishops

Question 6

What act enabled women Bishops to sit in the House of Lords?

Answer 6

The Lords Spiritual (women) Act 2015

Question 7

What are life peers and give an example?

Answer 7

Appointed with a lord title for only their life time
e.g Baroness Helen Newlove

Question 8

What are Hereditary peers?

Answer 8

Previously they would inherit their title and pass it onto their next generation. However, the House of Lords Act 1999 provided that an inherited title should not automatically allow someone to participate in law making. Therefore, in November 1999, no new “hereditary peers” would be introduced.

Question 9

What Act separated the judicial branch with the legislature branch?

Answer 9

Constitutional Reform Act 2005

Question 10

What did the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 do?

Answer 10

• Removed the House of Lords court from the house of Lords, to prevent a “fusion” of power, as judges previously could create law and apply law
  -Renamed the judicial branch as the Supreme court

Question 11

What are the influences on the law?

Answer 11

-Government Polices
-Law Commission
-Public Opinion/ Media
-Pressure Groups
-Lobbying
-Real Life events

Question 12

How do Government Polices influence the law?

Answer 12

• When political parties campaign for votes, they set out a programme of law reform in their election manifesto
  Positives:
  -Public is aware of what the political party is intending to do, this should heavily guide its legislative proposals during their time in power
  Negatives:
  -Parliament is under no obligation to fulfil what was stated in their manifesto

Question 13

How does the Law Commission influence the law?

Answer 13

-This is a full time, independent body that keeps the law under review to ensure its systematic development
Positives:
-Independent body means they are not politically motivated, therefore reforms suggested are going to be for the interest of society
Negatives:
Parliament is under no obligation to implement any proposals

Question 14

How does Public opinion/ media influence the law?

Answer 14

-Strong public opinion shared via the media can sometimes lead to changes in the law
Positives: