LEGISLATION IN THE UK



   The three legal systems within the UK are       England and Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland. 
                                                                                                  
                                                                                                  
   An inchoate act does not have the force of law  and is known as a “Bill“.                      
                                                                                                  
                                                                                                  
   General (Public) Acts                           apply to everybody, everywhere within the      
                                                   legal system.                                  
                                                                                                  
                                                                                                  
   Personal and Local Acts                         apply either to particular individuals or to   
                                                   particular areas.                              
                                                                                                  
                                                                                                  
   Delegated or secondary legislation is           law made by government ministers or local      
                                                   authorities.                                   
                                                                                                  
                                                                                                  
   The example of delegated legislation is         the social security system.                    
                                                                                                  
                                                                                                  
   In the first reading                            - a “dummy“ copy of the Bill is placed on the  
                                                   Table.                                         
                                                                                                  
                                                                                                  
                                                                                                  
                                                   - the speaker calls the name of the sponsor of 
                                                   the Bill.                                      
                                                                                                  
                                                                                                  
                                                                                                  
                                                   - the clerk reads the short title of the Bill. 
                                                                                                  
                                                                                                  
                                                                                                  
                                                   - the Minister names a day for the Bill's      
                                                   second reading.                                
                                                                                                  
                                                                                                  
   In the second reading                           - the principle of the Bill is considered      
                                                   during section-by-section reading.             
                                                                                                  
                                                                                                  
                                                                                                  
                                                   - amendments may be offered to a section when  
                                                   it is read.                                    
                                                                                                  
                                                                                                  
                                                                                                  
                                                                                                  
   Committee stage involves                        - clause by clause consideration.              
                                                                                                  
                                                                                                  
                                                                                                  
                                                   - new amendments relevant to the               
                                                   subject-matter of the bill.                    
                                                                                                  
                                                                                                  
   Amendments and new clauses may be moved by      the Minister, the Opposition spokesman or any  
                                                   Member of the Committee.                       
                                                                                                  
                                                                                                  
   The last stage of the legislative procedure in  Royal Assent.                                  
   the UK is                                                                                      
                                                                                                  
                                                                                                  
   After signification of Royal Assent             the Bill becomes an Act.