THE SOURCES OF LAW: LEGISLATION PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH IN USE FOR LAW

 

PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH IN USE FOR LAW THE SOURCES OF LAW: LEGISLATION

 

A Background to making new law How are laws made in the UK The predominant sources of law in the United Kingdom are: ·         Primary legislation, known as Acts of Parliament of statues, which begin life as drafts called Bills (see B and C below); ·         Secondary or delegated legislation, such as statutory instruments, bye-laws, and professional regulations. A new Act is passed in order to: ·         update or amend existing legislation; ·         legislate for new circumstances and enforce government policies; B Early development of a Bill The government may proceed to initiate a consultative process by the publication of a Green Paper in which its proposals are set out at an early stage with the intention of attracting public response and comment. The government’s White Papers contain their more definite proposals, although these are often C Passing an Act All Acts must be submitted to both Houses of Parliament in the draft form of a Bill. The legislative process involves three readings in both Houses. At the first reading, the title is read to Members of Parliament (MPs); at the second reading, MPs debate proposals. Then a standing committee will scrutinise the provisions in the Bill and may amend it to ensure that it enshrines the principles debated and approved at the second reading. This is reported back to MPs. At the third reading, the Bill is re-presented. The bill then goes through readings in the upper house. The actual EXERCISES 2.1 Find verbs in A opposite that can be used to make word combinations with the words below. There is more than one possibility for three of the answers. Parliament can 1 _____________ Acts of Parliament. 2 _____________ new statutes. 2.2 Complete the sentences. Look at A, B and C opposite to help you. Pay attention to the grammatical context. 1 An order made under authority delegated to a government minister by an Act of Parliament is knows as a _____________ _____________. 2 A _____________ is made by a local authority or a public or nationalised body and has to be approved by central government. 2.3 A visiting Russian colleague is asking an English solicitor about the legislative process. Replace the underlined words in their conversation with alternative words from C opposite. Pay attention to the grammatical context. There is more than possibility for two of the answers. Natasha: How is new legislation enacted?

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