Unit 1: Section A: Parliamentary Law Making Influences on Parliament (continued) Specification Link Outline of influences on Parliament: role of the Law Commission; political, media and pressure group influences Learning Objectives Describe the role the Law Commission, politics, the media and pressure group have on influencing Parliamentary law making Analyse the advantages and disadvantages of these influences on Parliament S&C: It can be said that these different influences on Parliament are the essence of true democracy. Why is this? Starter: Quick quiz What is the difference between a life peer and hereditary peer? Roughly how many MPs sit in the House of Commons? Who is the opposition?

The Task Create a poster showing the different influences on Parliament Rationale Synthesis – taking information in one format and recreating it in a different format is a higher order skill and can help you to remember key facts Criteria You must include the Law Commission, political pressure, media and pressure groups. You must include authority (cases and statutes) that demonstrate each source of pressure. You must include past exam questions

Law is passed! People pressure MPs in the House of Commons vote Government propose making it law The Queen has the final decision (Royal Assent) MPs in the House of Commons vote The Lords in the House of Lords vote

The Law Commission - Description Independent, permanent and full-time law reform body. Set up by Law Commissions Act 1965 Full time staff headed by five Law Commissioners including Chairman Chairman is a High Court Judge and has a large remit Remaining commissioners are all academic or practicing lawyers. Each commissioner has a team working for them Sec 3(1) of the Act states role is ‘KEEP UNDER REVIEW ALL THE LAW’ This includes codification, consolidation, repeal, simplification and modernisation of the law. 4

Codification Means bringing together of all the law on a particular topic into one Act of Parliament. At the start was supposed to simplify contract, landlord and tenant laws, family law, and the law of evidence. 1989 draft Criminal Code published but not yet implemented. Original plan over ambitious Now looking to codify smaller areas Criminal now moved to Murder and Homicide November 2006 5

Consolidation Means bringing together of all the statutory provisions relating to a particular area into one Act of Parliament. Makes law more understandable and accessible. Does not require changes in the law (Education Act 1996) Both require constant updating This is due to Judges and Government adding or interpreting the law soon after it comes into effect 6

Repeal Removal of laws that have no further use. Once passed can generally only be repealed or altered by another act 7

Operation These processes simplify the law Also necessary to suggest changes and create new areas of law. In your groups think of an example of a necessary change and a totally new area of law in the past 10 years. Areas referred by government and has an autonomous role Also pressure form other areas (Criminal Attempts Act 1981 from academics) Research Working Paper Consultation Report Example Year and a Day Reform Act 1996 8

Advantages Can you think of the advantages of the service offered by the Law Commission? Possesses a large amount of expertise Large amount of research carried out Therefore well informed and helps to make good law Independent (all areas kept under review not those government interested in) May decide to investigate itself 9

Disadvantages Can you think of the disadvantages of the service offered by the Law Commission? About a third of recommendations not implemented. Government not obliged to carry out recommendations Government does not have to consult when it implements law Investigations too lengthy and takes too long to come to fruition Lack of thoroughness as investigates up to 30 issues at a time 10

Eye on the exam Describe any one influence operating on Parliament in the law-making process. (10 marks)

Homework Read the information on the Legislative Process Take notes and revise key content Prepare to be tested on this next lesson