Sources of law
◦ Green and White Papers > Bills> Acts
◦ Process for creation- most bills start in the House of Commons
◦ First reading- the formal introduction of a Bill
◦ Second reading- debate on general principles
◦ The Committee Stage- examination of each clauseamendments made
◦ Report Stage- inform the House of any changes & voted upon
◦ Third Reading- generally only verbal amendments made
◦ Bill passes to the House of Lords- above process
◦ Royal Assent- A formality
◦ Commencement of Ac
Types of bills:
Public bills
These change the laws as it applies to the general population and are the most
common type of bill introduced by the parliament.
Private member’s bills
These are public bills introduced in MP’s and lords who are not gov. ministers.
Private bills
These are usually promoted by organisations. Private bills only change the law as
it applies to specific individuals or organisation rather than the general public.
Hybrid bills
These mix the characteristics of public and private bills, they affect the general
public but would have a significant impact for specific groups or individuals.
Rules of statutory interpretation
◦The Literal Rule - Court applies the literal meaning in the Statute
◦The Golden Rule- Court modifies meaning to avoid absurd or inconsistent result
◦The Mischief Rule - Court takes a purposive approach to look at what Parliament
intended to remedy
◦The Contextual Rule- Court looks at text of statute as a whole so if no general
words follow in text only specific words apply.
Statutory interpretation Aids
◦ Green and White Papers > Bills> Acts
◦ Process for creation- most bills start in the House of Commons
◦ First reading- the formal introduction of a Bill
◦ Second reading- debate on general principles
◦ The Committee Stage- examination of each clauseamendments made
◦ Report Stage- inform the House of any changes & voted upon
◦ Third Reading- generally only verbal amendments made
◦ Bill passes to the House of Lords- above process
◦ Royal Assent- A formality
◦ Commencement of Ac
Types of bills:
Public bills
These change the laws as it applies to the general population and are the most
common type of bill introduced by the parliament.
Private member’s bills
These are public bills introduced in MP’s and lords who are not gov. ministers.
Private bills
These are usually promoted by organisations. Private bills only change the law as
it applies to specific individuals or organisation rather than the general public.
Hybrid bills
These mix the characteristics of public and private bills, they affect the general
public but would have a significant impact for specific groups or individuals.
Rules of statutory interpretation
◦The Literal Rule - Court applies the literal meaning in the Statute
◦The Golden Rule- Court modifies meaning to avoid absurd or inconsistent result
◦The Mischief Rule - Court takes a purposive approach to look at what Parliament
intended to remedy
◦The Contextual Rule- Court looks at text of statute as a whole so if no general
words follow in text only specific words apply.
Statutory interpretation Aids
