Legislative Process (description)

What are the 7 stages in the legislative process?

1. First reading

2. Second reading

3. Committee stage

4. Report stage

5. Third stage

6. Repeat process

7. Royal Assent

Expand on ‘first reading’

Mainly a formality - the short title and main aims of the Bill (draft of the law) are announced and an order for the Bill to be printed.

Expand on ‘second reading’

The main debate on the Bill takes place, conducted by the Speaker. MP/Minister/Lord responsible describes the aims of the Bill and fields question. At the end of debate, vote taken and there must be a majority in favour for the Bill to progress.

Expand on ‘Committee Stage’

Detailed examination of the Bill by a Committee of the Whole House of 15-60 MPs. The Committee can then make recommendations for any necessary amendments for the Bill to reflect the intention discussed in the second reading.

Expand on ‘report stage’

After scrutiny by the Committee, they will ‘report’ back any amendments to the House for a debate. At the end of the debate, there’s a vote on whether to accept these amendments.

Expand on ‘third reading’

Gives the House a final chance to look at the Bill again with all its amendments and decide whether they want it to go further. Almost a formality - unlikely to fail at this stage.

Expand on ‘repeat process’

Bill is given to the other House where it goes through the same five stages again. If either House make amendments to the Bill, it will go back to the House it started from for them to consider those amendments (‘ping pong’). It will continue until all proposed changes have been agreed by both houses. If the two houses can’t agree, under the Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949, the House of Lords can only delay the passage of a Bill by up to 1 year e.g Hunting Act 2004.

Expand on ‘Royal Assent’

Very much a formality, Monarch signs off approval to the Bill.