AS Law Lecture: Parliamentary Law Making (Part One)

Summary

This video provides an insightful exploration of parliamentary lawmaking in the UK, covering key topics such as the structure of Parliament, the legislative process, and the various influences that shape lawmaking. It examines the roles of the House of Commons, the House of Lords, and the Monarch, as well as the impact of the Law Commission, political parties, the media, and pressure groups. The script also discusses the importance of these factors in both proposing and scrutinizing legislation, offering a comprehensive understanding of how laws are formed and reformed in the UK.

Takeaways

• 😀 The UK Parliament consists of three main elements: the House of Commons, the House of Lords, and the Monarch.
• 😀 The House of Commons is the only democratically elected body in Parliament, with 650 Members of Parliament (MPs) representing citizens.
• 😀 The House of Lords is a non-elected body made up of life peers, hereditary peers, and senior bishops, whose role is to scrutinize and amend proposed laws.
• 😀 The Monarch’s role is ceremonial, granting Royal Assent to bills passed by both Houses, thereby making them law.
• 😀 The lawmaking process in the UK involves the proposal, debate, and scrutiny of bills in Parliament, followed by Royal Assent from the Monarch.
• 😀 The Law Commission, established in 1965, investigates areas of law in need of reform and provides recommendations to Parliament for codification or repeal of laws.
• 😀 Codification refers to the process of simplifying and consolidating related laws into one clear statute to make the law easier to follow.
• 😀 Repeal refers to the removal of outdated or unnecessary laws that are no longer relevant or needed.
• 😀 Political parties influence parliamentary lawmaking through their election manifestos, which outline proposed reforms if they come into power.
• 😀 Pressure groups, such as Greenpeace or the Law Society, use lobbying, media campaigns, and public opinion to influence the government and shape laws.
• 😀 Parliamentary lawmaking can be slow, and some critics argue that the process lacks accountability, particularly with non-elected members in the House of Lords.

Q & A

What are the main influences on Parliament in the UK?

The main influences on Parliament include the Law Commission, political influence (manifestos), European Union law, the media, and pressure groups.

What role does the House of Commons play in the UK Parliament?

The House of Commons is the only democratically elected chamber in Parliament. It consists of 650 Members of Parliament (MPs) who represent citizens and propose and push through legislation, with the government of the day sitting here.

What is the role of the House of Lords in the legislative process?

The House of Lords is a non-elected body that reviews and scrutinizes proposed laws passed by the House of Commons. It can suggest amendments and send bills back to the Commons for further debate, but it cannot ultimately block legislation.

How does the Monarch contribute to the lawmaking process in the UK?

The Monarch's role is to grant Royal Assent to a bill passed by both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Once Royal Assent is given, the bill becomes an Act of Parliament.

What is the function of the Law Commission in the UK legal system?

The Law Commission investigates areas of law that need reform. It researches legal issues, consults with the public and experts, and recommends reforms, which Parliament can then choose to implement.

What is the significance of a Manifesto in the UK political system?

A Manifesto is a list of promises or proposed reforms published by political parties during general elections. It influences the direction of lawmaking by outlining the legal changes a party intends to make if elected.

How does European Union law influence UK Parliament after Brexit?

Before Brexit, EU law took precedence over UK national law. However, after the UK's departure from the European Union, EU law no longer directly applies, although some EU laws were retained in UK law during the transition period.

How does the media impact the UK legislative process?

The media plays a critical role in shaping public opinion, influencing political agendas, and holding lawmakers accountable. It also serves as a platform for political parties to communicate their lawmaking intentions and decisions.

What is the difference between sectional and cause pressure groups?

Sectional pressure groups represent the interests of a specific group of people, such as the Law Society for solicitors, while cause pressure groups focus on advocating for a particular issue, such as Greenpeace for environmental concerns.

What does codification mean in the context of the Law Commission's work?

Codification refers to the process of simplifying and consolidating multiple pieces of legislation into one comprehensive Act, making it easier to follow and apply, as seen in the Law Commission's work on the Fraud Act.