UK legislative system Flashcards
What is criminal law?
A relationship between the state and an individual and is related to the regulation of human behaviour
What is civil law?
The relationship between individuals and relates tot he conduct of human relationships
Can you go to prison under civil law?
No - deals with disputes between individuals (usually in private)
Is a dispensing error classed as civil or criminal law?
Criminal
A bill can become an Act without Royal assent. True or false?
False
What is primary legislation?
Acts of parliament - lay down general principles without much detail
What is the ‘white paper’ and does it come before or after the bill?
Government signals intentions and sets out proposals, inviting comments from interested parties.
It comes before the bill
The bill is only debated in the house of lords. True or false?
False - debated in both house of commons and house of lords
Once an Act has passed, can it be altered?
No - can only be altered by introduction of another Act
What is secondary legislation?
Subsidiary to an Act and comes in the form of statutory instruments
Can a statutory instrument amend a previous SI?
Yes
When does an SI become law?
After ‘laying on table’ in Parliament for 3 days
Both an Act and SI form the statutory law. True or false?
True
What is judicial precedent?
Statement of the legal position in a particular case. Judges make laws when there is no legislation or where meaning of current legislation unclear
In EU law, primary legislation is the treaties. True or false?
True
