What are four influences on Parliament?
- Political influence
- Public opinion/media
- Pressure groups
- Law reform bodies
What are pressure groups?
Bring matters they are interested in to attention of general bublic and gov
What are sectional pressure groups?
Represent interests of a particular group of people
What are some examples of sectional pressure groups?
- Law society(solicitors)
- british medical association(doctors)
- Trade unions
What is a cause pressure group?
Promote particular cause?
What are examples of cause pressure groups?
- Greenpeace
- Just stop oil
- BLM
May protest for change in the law
What is meant by “lobbying”?
Try to persuade an individual member of parliament
What are two advantages of pressure groups?
- Brings wide range of issues to attention
- Make government aware of damage to environment
What are two disadvantages of pressure groups?
- Some pressure groups seek to impose ideas even if minority of public
- Some pressure groups have conflicting interests (civil unrest) (fox hunting)
What affect does the media have on the government and legislation?
When strong public opinion to change law government may bow to opinion
Esspecially if close to General Election
What are some examples of the media?
- Television
- Radio
- Newspaper
- News apps
- Social media
What are two advantages of the media?
- May be affected by specific events (massacre in 1996 16 children made Fire Arms Act 1997 No semi automatic hand guns)
- Free press advantage as can criticise gov (2009 changed parliaments expenses)
What are two disadvantages off the media?
- Gov may respond to quickley to high profile incidents, knee-jerk reaction (Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 made fast includes dog breed that don’t exist
- Media can manipulate public opinion
What is the law commision?
Modernises and simplifies law, repeal old laws
When was the law commision set up?
1965
Who are the members of the law commision?
High court judge and legal experts
Researchers and draftsmen
How often does the law commision send their report of recommendations?
Yearly
What percentage of reforms from the law commision are enacted
50%
Lack of time other pressing matters
What are some examples of reforms the law commision has lead to?
- Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977
- OLA 84
- Fraud Act 2006
What are four advantages of the law commission?
- Legally qualified experts
- Politically independant less bias
- If Parliament codifies makes simpler
- Helps remove unecessary laws
What are two disadvantages of the Law Commision?
- Lack of parliamentary time
- Gov not bound to accept reports or enact so many areas not taken up
What are the two main stages of legislation?
- Whitehall stage
- Westminster stage
What are the three ways bills can be started?
- Public bills
- Private members bills
- From comissions
What are public bills?
Proposed by gov departments by Ministers/Civil servants
