Parliamentary Law Making Flashcards
Purpose of a Green Paper
- Outlines a gov. department’s intention to change the law, including the format it could take
- Encourages discussion before finalising any changes
Contents of a GP
- Why the law needs to be changed
- Analysis of strengths and weaknesses
- Ideas of how to reform
Where are GPs published?
- On the internet
- For public to comment on
- Circulated to interested parties (pressure groups etc)
Example of GP
2022 SEND GP focused on obtaining feedback on how to ensure each person with SENDs receive the support needed
Purpose of a WP
- Follows on from GPs
- ## Sets out gov’s new firm proposals for law reform
Contents of a WP
- ## detailed explanation of proposed changes
Publishing a WP
- not for consultation purposes
- published on the internet and sent to interested parties
- interested parties may express their views, but the gov have no obligation to allow this
Example of a WP
Localism Act 2011
What is a Bill?
A draft law
Who approves a Bill?
Have to be approved by both the House of Commons and House of Lords before it receives Royal Assent
What are Public Bills?
- Bills of general effect
- Relate to public policy which affects the whole country/large sections of it
Who introduces Public Bills?
A government minister
Example of a Public Bill
Matt Hancock, former Health Secretary, introduced the Health and Care Bill in 2021 to support recovery from the pandemic
What do Public Bills reflect?
The views of the political party in power at the time, often based on their election manifesto
Example of a Public Bill
Access to Justice Act 1999 which reformed the country’s legal aid provision
Private Member Bill purpose?
To change the law for the general population
Who introduces Private Member Bills?
An individual MP or Lord who is not a government minister
What is the process of a PMB?
- In each Parliamentary session, 20 MPs are chosen from a ballot to take their turn in presenting their Bills to Parliament
- They can be on anything but are usually influenced by issues raised by either a pressure group or members of the constituency
Example of a PMB?
Marriage Act 1994allowed buildings other than register offices/places of worship to be used to conduct weddings
What is the purpose of a Private Bill?
- usually promoted by organisations (eg private companies) to give themselves power beyond the general law
- will only change the law if it applies to specific orgs or individuals, rather than the public
Who can petition against Private Bills?
Groups or individuals potentially affected by these changes can petition to Parliament against the proposed Bill and present objections to a committee of MPs or Lords
Example of Private Bill?
University College London Act 1996 transferred assets to UCL
