Parliamentary Law-Making

What is Parliamentary Law-Making?

The process by which laws (statutes/Acts of Parliament) are created or amended by the UK Parliament. Parliament is the sovereign law-making body.

What are the two Houses of Parliament?

House of Commons: Elected MPs; main legislative power.

House of Lords: Unelected; revises and scrutinises bills.

What are the 7 stages of a Public Bill?

First Reading: Bill is introduced (title read, no debate).

Second Reading ✨: Main debate + vote on bill principles.

Committee Stage ✨: Detailed examination by Public Bill Committee.

Report Stage: Amendments reported back to the House.

Third Reading: Final review + vote.

Other House: Process repeated in the second chamber.

Royal Assent ✨: Monarch formally agrees — Bill becomes an Act.

1st Reading ➝ 2nd Reading ✨ ➝ Committee Stage ✨ ➝ Report ➝ 3rd Reading ➝ Other House ➝ Royal Assent ✨

: What are the types of Bills in Parliament?

Public Bill: Affects the whole country (e.g. Criminal Justice Act).

Private Bill: Affects individuals/groups (e.g. University Bills).

Hybrid Bill: Mix of public/private (e.g. HS2 Rail Project).

Private Member's Bill: Introduced by MPs not in government.

Ballot or 10-minute rule used to introduce.

: What are the main influences on law-making in Parliament?

Political: Government manifesto and party policies.

Example: Conservative government's focus on immigration law.

Public Opinion / Media ✨: Pressure from the public or press.

Example: Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (reactive law).

Pressure Groups: Organisations lobbying for change.

Sectional: represent a group (e.g. BMA).

Cause: promote an issue (e.g. Greenpeace).

Law Commission ✨: Independent body reviewing laws.

Example: Fraud Act 2006 followed Law Commission reports.

European / International Law: Especially before Brexit.

Example: EU directives incorporated into UK law (e.g. Working Time Regs).

What are Green and White Papers?

Green Paper: Consultation document suggesting ideas and inviting discussion.

Example: Green Paper on adult social care reform.

White Paper : Government firm proposal; more likely to become law.

Example: White Paper on Online Safety Bill.

What is a Bill?

A draft version of a law presented to Parliament before it becomes an Act.

Act of Parliament

A law passed by both Houses of Parliament and given Royal Assent.

What is Royal Assent?

The monarch's formal approval of a bill — makes it an official Act of Parliament.