1. How Laws Are Made

2. Types of Bills Private Bills Personal Bills
Intended to affect one particular area or organisation
Affect one or two people. Always begin in the House of Lords
Personal Bills

3. Types of Bills Public Bills Private Government Members’ Bills Bills
Intended to affect the public as a whole
Government
Bills
Private
Members’
Bills
Steered through Parliament by a minister from the appropriate government department
Sponsored by an individual MP or a Peer

4. Bill to Act of Parliament
In the House of Commons: Bill
In the House of Lords: Bill
Royal Assent- signed by the Monarch:
Act of Parliament becomes Law
Laws are made by Acts of Parliament. Before an Act of Parliament passes through Parliament and is signed by the Monarch, it is called a Bill

5. Consultation stage Bill in the Houses of Parliament
The Government makes a draft of the Bill and asks senior officials to make comments.
The Bill is discussed and checked.
The consultation process has 3 stages

6. Consultation stage Bill in the Houses of Parliament
Draft
Pre-legislative scrutiny
Asking for information and help from experts
The Bill is published, so that people can comment on it
A careful examination to make sure there are no mistakes

7. First Reading Bill in the Houses of Parliament
The Government tells everyone about the Bill by reading out its title in the House of Commons or House of Lords to let everyone know about it.

8. Second Reading Bill in the Houses of Parliament
This is the main debating stage where all MPs or Lords can discuss the Bill, ask questions and vote on it. It could be voted out at this stage.
The government minister, spokesperson or MP/Lord responsible for the Bill starts the second reading debate
The opposition spokesperson responds with their views on the Bill
The debate continues with other MPs/Lords giving their opinions
At the end of the debate, the House decides whether the Bill should be given its second reading by voting

9. Committee Stage Bill in the Houses of Parliament
A smaller group of MPs, or a large group of Lords, look at the Bill in detail. They may make changes, called ‘amendments’, based on their discussions.

10. Report Stage Bill in the Houses of Parliament
Amendments made during the Committee Stage are reported to everyone in the House of Commons or House of Lords. MPs or Lords may vote on these amendments.

11. Third Reading Bill in the Houses of Parliament
Overall consideration of the Bill in the House of Commons or House of Lords and final votes to decide whether it goes any further.

12. The Commons/Lords Stages Bill in the Houses of Parliament
The Bill goes to the other House who follow similar stages. They can suggest amendments to the Bill and send it back, that House may send it back again until an agreement can be reached. If no agreement can be reached, the House of Commons can vote to pass the law without agreement from the House of Lords.

13. Royal Asset The Act of Parliament becomes law
The Monarch signs-off the Bill as a new law or ‘Act of Parliament.

14. Consultation stage First Reading Second Reading Committee Stage
Report Stage
Third Reading
The Government makes a draft of the Bill and asks senior officials to make comments.
The Government tells everyone about the Bill by reading out its title in the House of Commons or House of Lords to let everyone know about it.
This is the main debating stage where all MPs or Lords can discuss the Bill, ask questions and vote on it. It could be voted out at this stage.
A smaller group of MPs or many Lords look at the Bill in detail. They may make changes, called ‘amendments’, based on their discussions.
Amendments made during the Committee Stage are reported to everyone in either House. MPs or Lords may vote on these amendments.
Overall consideration of the Bill in either House and final votes to decide whether it goes any further.
Make clear that this is just an example – a Bill can start in either the House of Commons or House of Lords.
The Commons/Lords Stages
The Bill goes to the other House who follow similar stages. They can suggest amendments to the Bill and then send it back, that House may send it back again until an agreement can be reached. If no agreement can be reached, the House of Commons can vote to pass the law without agreement from the House of Lords.
The Monarch signs-off the Bill as a new law or ‘Act of Parliament’.
The Royal Assent

15. Consultation Stage House of Lords House of Commons Royal Assent
First Reading
Drafting
Second Reading
BILL
Pre-legislative Scrutiny
Committee Stage
Report Stage
BILL
Third Reading
House of Commons
BILL
First Reading
Second Reading
Royal Assent
Committee Stage
BILL
ACT OF PARLIAMENT
Report Stage
Third Reading