Making an
Act of Parliament
In order for a bill to become an Act the House of Commons, House of Lords or The Monarch must pass it.
What is Bill? Parliamentary sovereignty
A bill is a draft law and can either be In the 17th Century the Bill of Rights gave Parliament the
public – affects the majority of the status of supreme lawmaker meaning:
country, private – affects individual An Act of Parliament takes precedence over
people or organisations or a private previous Acts, Judicial precedent, Custom and
members’ bill – sponsored by an MP. Delegate legislation.
- Parliament can
The Passage of Bills in Parliament
legislate on anything
1. First reading Title of the Bill is read out by sponsoring MP - It is not bound by any
2. Second reading Debates begin! parliament before it and
3. Committee stage Bill is scrutinised by a standing committee of MPs cannot bind future
4. Report stage Proposed changes, are reported back parliaments
5. Third reading Final reading and short debate may happen - Acts of parliament
6. House of Lords Bill undergoes further scrutiny cannot be overruled
7. Royal assent The Queen approves and signs the Bill, however
she does not do it personally anymore
However, EU law supersedes
Parliament, since the UK joined
the EEC in 1973.
Meaning legislations must
comply with UK membership
obligations
Act of Parliament
In order for a bill to become an Act the House of Commons, House of Lords or The Monarch must pass it.
What is Bill? Parliamentary sovereignty
A bill is a draft law and can either be In the 17th Century the Bill of Rights gave Parliament the
public – affects the majority of the status of supreme lawmaker meaning:
country, private – affects individual An Act of Parliament takes precedence over
people or organisations or a private previous Acts, Judicial precedent, Custom and
members’ bill – sponsored by an MP. Delegate legislation.
- Parliament can
The Passage of Bills in Parliament
legislate on anything
1. First reading Title of the Bill is read out by sponsoring MP - It is not bound by any
2. Second reading Debates begin! parliament before it and
3. Committee stage Bill is scrutinised by a standing committee of MPs cannot bind future
4. Report stage Proposed changes, are reported back parliaments
5. Third reading Final reading and short debate may happen - Acts of parliament
6. House of Lords Bill undergoes further scrutiny cannot be overruled
7. Royal assent The Queen approves and signs the Bill, however
she does not do it personally anymore
However, EU law supersedes
Parliament, since the UK joined
the EEC in 1973.
Meaning legislations must
comply with UK membership
obligations
