Parliamentary law making

In party consultation

A  final consultation is required before it is drafted as  bill. To make sure the party are happy with any changes that have been made ect.

Other interested parties may be invited to discuss the bill such as pressure groups

The draft bill

• The propsoed act is now called  bill. It atill has alot of stages to pass through. Debating the bill in the HOL and HOC may change the bill again.
• The draftsmen need to be clear and use the correct legal wording so the courts can apply it properly.
• It needs to be unambiguous, precise and comprehensive.

Legislative stages

The bill has to pass through both houses to become an act of parliament.

It can start in either house apart from Finance bills which must start in the HOC. Bills must pass through all ther below stages.

Public bills- Most common. They affect the all the population or a big section of it. Most government bills are this type. Drafted by lawyers in the civil service.Gov dep responsible for them instructs the draftsmen what to be included and the purpose of the bill. It s drafted and then becomes a bill. Introduced a minister. Issues can arise because drafted by draftsemn, can be ambiguous and not clear. Under time pressure have to do it quickly. Legal services Act 2007, Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015

Private member bills- Put forward by individual MP's every friday. Very few happen this way but the Abortion Act 1967 was introduced this way. Known as 'back benchers' because they sit at the back of the HOC. they are MP's from any political party so it does not have to be one from Gov at the time. Introduced by 'ballot' or 'ten minute rule'. Ballot- Every parliamentary session a ballot is allowed 30 private memebrs selected take it in turns to present a bill. Only on a fridy time is limited few people get to introduce. Eg AbortionAct 1967 The Marriage act 1994. Ten Minute- Why leg hould be introduced. Rarely successful because of opposition. Bail ammendment act 1933.

Private bills- Laws that affect individuals or companies. Eg Faversham oyster fishery company Bill 2016 changed the way the company way ran. Hybrid- x between public and private. Introduced by gov but affect specifically. EG HS2 Act. Power to acquire land. Can petition against.

First reading

The bill is read for the first time in the HOC. the name and main aims of the bill are read out.

No debate