AC 1.1
Describe processes used for law making processes
The state power is divided into three sections; legislative (parliament), executive (government)
and judicial (courts of law). Each branch of the state has separate and independent powers and
areas of responsibility.
The roles of the different sections of parliament/government
The House of Commons
- Members of the House of Commons are called Members of Parliament (MPs)
- Made up of elected representatives of the people
- 650 MPs
- Each MP is elected at a general election to represent a constituency
The House of Lords
- Members of the House of Lords are called peers.
- Used to be a heredity possession reserved for noblemen.
- Now, there are only 92 hereditary peers, the rest are life peers who cannot pass on their
positions.
- The main job of the Lords is to act as a 'double check' on new laws.
The Role of the Prime Minister
- The leader of His Majesty’s Government.
- Ultimately responsible for all policy and decisions.
- Oversees the operation of the Civil Service and government agencies
- Appoints members of the government.
The Role of the Cabinet
- The Cabinet is made up of the senior members of government.
- Every week during Parliament, members of the Cabinet (Secretaries of State from all
departments and some other ministers) meet to discuss the most important issues for
the government.
- Ministers are chosen by the Prime Minister from the members of the House of Commons
and House of Lords.
- They are responsible for the actions, successes and failures of their departments.
The Role of the Civil Service
- The Civil Service does the practical and administrative work of government.
- It is coordinated and managed by the Prime Minister.
- Around half of all civil servants provide services direct to the public, including:
- paying benefits and pensions
- running employment services
- staffing prisons
- issuing driving licences
, The Parliamentary Stages of a Bill
Green Paper - a preliminary report of government proposals that is published in order to
provoke discussion.
Before putting a Bill before Parliament, the government produced a green paper. This is an
initial report to provoke public discussion of the subject. It often includes questions for interested
individuals and organisations to respond to.
White Paper - Policy documents produced by the Government that set out their proposals for
future legislation.
After the consultation, the government publishes a White paper, which is a document setting out
their detailed plans for legislation. It often includes a draft version of the Bill they intend to put
before Parliament.
First reading - Government introduces a bill into the Commons (sometimes the
Lords), where it receives a first reading. (A formal announcement).
Second reading- The main principles of the bill are considered and debated by the whole of the
House of Commons and a vote is taken. The government usually wins this.
Committee stage- The bill is examined in detail, line by line, by a small committee made up of
MPs from different parties.
Report stage- Gives MPs an opportunity to consider the committee's report and to debate on
amendments they might wish to make.
Third reading- Final chance for the Commons to debate the Bill's contents. No amendments
allowed.
Lords Stage- Bill goes through the same stages, Lords can amend the Bill but the Commons
has the final say.
Royal Assent- Once both houses have passed it, it goes to the monarch for signing.
How the judiciary make law
Precedent: An earlier event or action that is regarded as an example of guide to be considered
in subsequent similar circumstances.
Judicial precedent: law made by judges in the Courts. Judges must make a judgement and
this forms the law. This then must be followed in similar cases in the future. Law needs to be
consistent and use the same principles in making decisions.
Describe processes used for law making processes
The state power is divided into three sections; legislative (parliament), executive (government)
and judicial (courts of law). Each branch of the state has separate and independent powers and
areas of responsibility.
The roles of the different sections of parliament/government
The House of Commons
- Members of the House of Commons are called Members of Parliament (MPs)
- Made up of elected representatives of the people
- 650 MPs
- Each MP is elected at a general election to represent a constituency
The House of Lords
- Members of the House of Lords are called peers.
- Used to be a heredity possession reserved for noblemen.
- Now, there are only 92 hereditary peers, the rest are life peers who cannot pass on their
positions.
- The main job of the Lords is to act as a 'double check' on new laws.
The Role of the Prime Minister
- The leader of His Majesty’s Government.
- Ultimately responsible for all policy and decisions.
- Oversees the operation of the Civil Service and government agencies
- Appoints members of the government.
The Role of the Cabinet
- The Cabinet is made up of the senior members of government.
- Every week during Parliament, members of the Cabinet (Secretaries of State from all
departments and some other ministers) meet to discuss the most important issues for
the government.
- Ministers are chosen by the Prime Minister from the members of the House of Commons
and House of Lords.
- They are responsible for the actions, successes and failures of their departments.
The Role of the Civil Service
- The Civil Service does the practical and administrative work of government.
- It is coordinated and managed by the Prime Minister.
- Around half of all civil servants provide services direct to the public, including:
- paying benefits and pensions
- running employment services
- staffing prisons
- issuing driving licences
, The Parliamentary Stages of a Bill
Green Paper - a preliminary report of government proposals that is published in order to
provoke discussion.
Before putting a Bill before Parliament, the government produced a green paper. This is an
initial report to provoke public discussion of the subject. It often includes questions for interested
individuals and organisations to respond to.
White Paper - Policy documents produced by the Government that set out their proposals for
future legislation.
After the consultation, the government publishes a White paper, which is a document setting out
their detailed plans for legislation. It often includes a draft version of the Bill they intend to put
before Parliament.
First reading - Government introduces a bill into the Commons (sometimes the
Lords), where it receives a first reading. (A formal announcement).
Second reading- The main principles of the bill are considered and debated by the whole of the
House of Commons and a vote is taken. The government usually wins this.
Committee stage- The bill is examined in detail, line by line, by a small committee made up of
MPs from different parties.
Report stage- Gives MPs an opportunity to consider the committee's report and to debate on
amendments they might wish to make.
Third reading- Final chance for the Commons to debate the Bill's contents. No amendments
allowed.
Lords Stage- Bill goes through the same stages, Lords can amend the Bill but the Commons
has the final say.
Royal Assent- Once both houses have passed it, it goes to the monarch for signing.
How the judiciary make law
Precedent: An earlier event or action that is regarded as an example of guide to be considered
in subsequent similar circumstances.
Judicial precedent: law made by judges in the Courts. Judges must make a judgement and
this forms the law. This then must be followed in similar cases in the future. Law needs to be
consistent and use the same principles in making decisions.
