example: how laws are made in the UK
what's the source of UK legislation?
Laws and legislation in the UK comes from various sources:
- common law
This is as a result of decisions made in law courts over hundreds of years- case law
This is based on the decision of a previous judge in a similar case- the European Union
Europe-wide laws passed in the European Parliament- statute law
Laws passed by the Parliament in Westminster, otherwise known as Acts of Parliament
what's the political make-up of the UK?
The individuals providing political representation in the UK include:
- at Westminster
There are around 660 Members of Parliament (MP's) and around 660 Members of the House of Lords- in Scotland
There are around 130 Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSP's)- in Wales
There are around 60 Assembly Members- in Northern Ireland
The Northern Ireland Assembly is currently suspended, but there were 108 members of the Assembly- at a local and regional level
Locally and regionally, there are many thousands of Councillors armed with varying levels of authority and autonomy
example: a sample passage of legislation
Bills in the Houses of Parliament are introduced in a number of ways. Here's an example of how one Bill might go through its Parliamentary stages:
- Introduction - The House of Commons
The Bill is read out and printed- Second Reading
A main debate on the Bill follows in the House and, if necessary, a vote on its prinicipal- Committee
This is normally when a group of MP's (Standing Committee) considers the Bill in detail and can make amendments to it. Bills can go to a Committee of the whole House- Report
Amendments and changes are considered by the whole House; those that are not on the Committee can suggest and propose amendments- Third Reading and Passing
There's a final change to debate the Bill- Royal Assent
The Queen's Assent is formally notified to both Houses of Parliament. The legislation is now law
what about devolution in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales?
The Scottish Parliament and the Northern Ireland Assembly can also pass legislation that affects Scotland and Northern Ireland respectively. This would be on devolved matters such as agriculture or education. They were set up under laws passed by the Houses of Parliament and have similar procedures for debate, voting and amendments to Bills. The Welsh Assembly can pass secondary legislation on devolved matters, i.e. legislation already provided for under an Act of Parliament.
UK parliamentary links
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