Processes of Law Making

PARLIAMENT

laws made by parliament

HOUSE OF COMMONS

MPs voted by general public.

belong to different political parties.

prime minister also part of it.

HOUSE OF LORDS

lords + ladies given role through status due to expertise

approx. 800:

92 hereditary

26 Church Of England

rest are experts

MONARCH

head of state

How many MPs are represented and by who?

650MPs

represented by different political parties

What is a bill?

proposals for new laws that come from the government

GREEN PAPER

published by gov. before putting bill through parliament

initial report - provoke public discussion

includes questions for interest

WHITE PAPER

published by gov after consultation

sets out detailed plans for legislation

Parliamentary Stages of a Bill

1. FIRST READING

2. SECOND READING

3. COMMITTEE STAGE

4. REPORT STAGE

5. THIRD READING

6. THE LORDS

7. ROYAL ASSENT

FIRST READING

first introduced in Commons

formal announcement of bill

vote to progress to next stage

SECOND READING

main principles considered

debated by House of Commons

vote taken

COMMITTEE STAGE

bill examined in detail - small committee of MPs

report back / propose amendments

REPORT STAGE

committee’s report considered by MPs

debate / vote on amendments

THIRD READING

final chance to debate

no amendments allowed

pass / reject

THE LORDS

bill must return to Commons if amended by Lords

accept / reject

House of Commons = final say

made up of people’s elected representatives

ROYAL ASSENT

bill sent to monarch for signing

monarch agreement to make law or act of parliament