1. Outline briefly, the process used by a government for making laws. 3 marks
A bill is proposed by a member of parliament. The bill goes through a number of readings
and stages in the House of Commons including debates and votes. It is then passed to the
House of Lords who repeat this process. If successful, the bill receives royal assent from the
king and it becomes an Act of Parliament. 3/3
2. Describe the process by which government makes laws. 9 marks
When a bill is first proposed a green paper is produced. This green paper is circulated to
everyone who has an opportunity to give feedback. A white paper is then produced which is
a more detailed document outlining the idea for a new law. This bill is then formally read out
in parliament (1st Reading) before a vote happens. If successful, there are further debates
before another vote takes place (2nd Reading), if successful the bill reaches the Committee
Stage where a small group of MPs go through it in fine detail before reporting back to the
house (Report Stage). A 3rd Reading then takes place before another vote. If successful, the
bill is then passed to the House of Lords who go through the same process again. A series
of debates and votes. The Lords can suggest amendments that get sent back to the House
of Commons. This is known as ping pong. If the bill successfully gets voted through both
houses, it is passed to the monarch (King Charles) who gives it his Royal Assent. The bill is
now an official Act of Parliament.
3. Describe judicial involvement in law-making. 4 marks
One way that judges contribute to law making is judicial precedent. This is when judges use
similar cases from the past to help them make decisions. One example is the case of
Donohughe v Stevenson. Another way that judges contribute to law making is statutory
interpretation. Judges have to interpret the exact meaning of words in laws. Judges have
rules to follow such as the literal rule, golden rule and mischief to help them do this.
A bill is proposed by a member of parliament. The bill goes through a number of readings
and stages in the House of Commons including debates and votes. It is then passed to the
House of Lords who repeat this process. If successful, the bill receives royal assent from the
king and it becomes an Act of Parliament. 3/3
2. Describe the process by which government makes laws. 9 marks
When a bill is first proposed a green paper is produced. This green paper is circulated to
everyone who has an opportunity to give feedback. A white paper is then produced which is
a more detailed document outlining the idea for a new law. This bill is then formally read out
in parliament (1st Reading) before a vote happens. If successful, there are further debates
before another vote takes place (2nd Reading), if successful the bill reaches the Committee
Stage where a small group of MPs go through it in fine detail before reporting back to the
house (Report Stage). A 3rd Reading then takes place before another vote. If successful, the
bill is then passed to the House of Lords who go through the same process again. A series
of debates and votes. The Lords can suggest amendments that get sent back to the House
of Commons. This is known as ping pong. If the bill successfully gets voted through both
houses, it is passed to the monarch (King Charles) who gives it his Royal Assent. The bill is
now an official Act of Parliament.
3. Describe judicial involvement in law-making. 4 marks
One way that judges contribute to law making is judicial precedent. This is when judges use
similar cases from the past to help them make decisions. One example is the case of
Donohughe v Stevenson. Another way that judges contribute to law making is statutory
interpretation. Judges have to interpret the exact meaning of words in laws. Judges have
rules to follow such as the literal rule, golden rule and mischief to help them do this.
