The Law Making Process Flashcards
What is the law making process
Green paper —> white paper —> first reading —> second reading —> committee stage —> report stage —> third reading —> House of Lords —> royal assent —> commencement
What is a green paper
A green paper is a consultation document putting forwards the government’s ideas for reform of the law and inviting the views of affected parties so changed can be made.
What is a white paper
A white paper is a governments firm proposal set out. A draft bill may be issued as part of this later on. Most bills go to commons first. Finance bills have to.
What is the first reading.
A former procedure where the name and main aims of the bill are read out. No discussion or vote
What is a second reading.
The main debate on a bill takes place and mps vote on it.
What is the committee stage.
A detailed examination of each clause of the bils is undertaken by mps.
What is the report stage?
The committee reports back to the house if there have been any amendments at committee stage. The amendments are then debated on and accepted or denied.
What is the third reading
The final vote takes place. No debate is had unless six mps request it.
What is the House of Lords stage.
This is where the bill goes through these same stages but in the House of Lords. If the House of Lords makes amendments then it gets sent back to the House of Commons. This is known as ping pong! House of commens can force a law
What is royal assent.
The monarch formally approves the bill and it becomes an act. The king only sees a short title of the bill that he is assessing and does not get the full text.
What is commencement.
This is when the act comes into force on a date specified or at midnight after royal assent.
