LAW MAKING A Brief Outline © www.teachitcitizenship.co.uk 2013 20579
Legislation: the law-making process A law: a rule, usually made by a government, that is used to order the way in which a society behaves Cambridge Dictionaries Online: http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/ accessed 26/02/13 © www.teachitcitizenship.co.uk 2013 20579
Legislation: the law-making process What is a law? A law is like a rule. Why do we need laws? To maintain order and peace; to protect us from harm, abuse or injury; to enforce our rights as humans and as citizens of our country. What do you think would happen if we did not have any laws in the UK? Criminal and civil offences would increase dramatically; democracy would no longer exist. © www.teachitcitizenship.co.uk 2013 20579
Legislation: the law-making process Which are the main three bodies (people or groups) who make laws in the UK? the House of Commons the Prime Minister alone Princes William and Harry the Queen the Mayor the House of Lords the Local Authority © www.teachitcitizenship.co.uk 2013 20579
Who makes law Summary: Laws are made by the legislature, which is the House of Commons and the House of Lords. All new laws have to be approved by the Queen. © www.teachitcitizenship.co.uk 2013 20579
Legislation: the law-making process What is a bill? Here are some recent examples: Cosmetic Surgery (Minimum Standards) Bill Free School Meals (Children over the age of 16) Bill Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill Voting Age (Reduction to 16) Bill A bill is a proposal for a new law which is being discussed by the legislature (= the law-making bodies). © www.teachitcitizenship.co.uk 2013 20579
Legislation: the law-making process A bill is a proposal for a new law which is being discussed by the legislature (= the law-making bodies). There are four different types of bill: private bills, public bills, (private) members’ bills and hybrid bills. Private bills only affect a specific area or group of people. Public bills affect the whole country and are introduced by the government. Members’ bills are introduced by a specific group in the House of Commons. Hybrid bills are public bills which affect a particular person or organisation. © www.teachitcitizenship.co.uk 2013 20579
Legislation: the law-making process Quiz: stages of the legislation process At which stage(s) is there no debate? First Reading; Royal Assent At which stage(s) is there the most debate? Second Reading; Committee Stage At which stage(s) do all MPs vote on the bill? Report Stage What is the ‘standing committee’? A group of 16-30 MPs who examine a bill Why does the ‘Ping Pong’ stage have this name? Because the bill passes from the HOC to the HOL and back. What does ‘to pass through the house’ mean? To be discussed by the House of Lords or House of Commons. What is the difference between a Green Paper and a White Paper? A Green Paper is just to encourage discussion; a White Paper is a formal proposal When does a Bill become an Act? Once the Queen has given her assent. © www.teachitcitizenship.co.uk 2013 20579
Legislation: the law-making process Is the legislation process democratic (= fair)? The Queen The House of Lords The House of Commons The different readings of a bill The whole law-making process Democratic Not democratic © www.teachitcitizenship.co.uk 2013 20579