Parliamentary Law Making and Law Reform: Influences AO3

Question 1

P - Success of the LC

Answer 1

DP - There’s been an improvement to how laws are looked at - LC Act 2009 requires the Lord Chancellor to report to Parliament anually on the government’s progress in implementing reports
WDP - More success for the LC - voluntary manslaughter unfer the CJA 2009 helped the law come in line with mdoern medical knowledge

Question 2

P - Political influence ensures the gov proposals are passed

Answer 2

DP - Upholds SOP as the ;aws are passed by democratically elected bodies, people we voted in - Public know what laws they’re going to implement through their manifesto
WDP - However, it’s common knowledge that they don’t often follow through with the manifesto they produce

Question 3

P - Public opinion/media leads to law changing to match the public opinion at the time

Answer 3

DP - E.g., Snowdrop campaign led to change in law to represent public’s opinion of firearn possession
WDP - Public feel like their vocies are heard, trust gov if they respond m leads to confidence in the system

Question 4

P - Lobbyists ofetn raise issues which may lead to Parliamentary debate

Answer 4

DP - Allows politicians to be more aware of local needs
WDP - Professional lobbyists raise strong cases which are well presented and lead to change

Question 5

P - LC may not be satisfactory as gov may accept their report but not follow through with all their reccommendations

Answer 5

DP - If bill goes to Parliament, may change the wording so final law is different from what LC proposed
WDP - Gov don’t have to consult LC on changes to law major changes can be amde without LC’s extensive knowledge and research, can be less than satifactory than original proposals

Question 6

P - Current gov can repeal laws from old laws

Answer 6

DP - Lead to abuse of power as they remove laws, conflicts with ROL
WDP - However, law is more applicable to society

Question 7

P - Public opinion/media leads to public responding too quickly and law is not well thought out

Answer 7

DP - E.g., DDA 1991 where wording of act led to no. of issues like the no. of dogs and the dogs listed
WDP - Newspapers and journalists may channel their own opinions and views, can cause panic by drawing attention to exaggerated issues

Question 8

P - Professional lobbyists are known to pay MPs to bring topics on Parliament

Answer 8

DP - Financially successful lobbyists are likely to have more influence than ordinary members of society
WDP - Doesn’t reflect societal views and is not reflective of most of society, thoughts nay be unheard