Summary Unit 4: 1.1 WJEC Criminology: How laws are made in the UK

AC 1.1 notes.
How Laws Are Made in the UK
In the UK, laws are made in two main ways:
1. Through Parliament (by the government)
2. Through judges (in courts – called common law)


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Laws Made by Parliament (Government Laws)
Parliament is made up of three main parts:
 House of Commons – Where MPs (Members of Parliament) sit. They are voted in by
the public.
 House of Lords – Made up of hereditary peers (people born into a lord family) and
appointed Lords (chosen for their experience).
 The Monarch – The King or Queen, who gives Royal Assent (final approval) before
any law becomes official.


📜 What Are These Laws Called?
Laws made by Parliament are called:
 Statutes
 Legislation
 Acts of Parliament
Examples:
 Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984
 Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (includes Harper’s Law)


✅ Steps to Make a Law (Bill → Act)
1. Green Paper – An idea is shared with the public for discussion.
2. White Paper – A formal proposal of the Bill is made after feedback.
Then the Bill goes through these stages in Parliament:
 Consultation Stage – Government asks experts for advice on the draft.
 First Reading – The title of the Bill is read out in Parliament.
 Second Reading – MPs or Lords debate the Bill and vote.