LO4 Understanding causes of policy change Flashcards
What is the law?
A system of rules which a particular country or community uses to regulate the actions of its members and can enforce through penalties
What is policy?
Government’s stance on a particular issue
How are laws made?
Passed through parliament to become an act.
Must pass through HOC and HOL.
What is the procedure for an act to be passed?
First hearing, second hearing, committee stage, report stage, third reading (in both houses) then royal assent
What are the 2 types of law in England and Wales?
Common law - basis on rulings made by judges
Statute law - written legislation passed by Government
What is judicial precedent?
Fair legal system which binds inferior courts to then be a common law, binding precedent can be changed through an act of parliament to make it statute law
What has precedent lead to?
Some archaic laws still existing in the UK as no-one is ever prosecuted for breaking them
Why are some archaic laws still existing?
Because they have never been repealed as it takes an Act of Parliament to do so
What are some of the reasons why laws have fallen out of use?
Process is slow
Lack of police time and court time
Social/cultural/moral changes in attitudes
Victimless crimes so not reported
