Issues in Law Making

The Hansard Society has published a series of briefing papers on the law making process, Issues in Law Making. Each paper has reviewed a key element of the legislative process in the United Kingdom.

Briefing Paper 1 looks at Private Members’ Bills and considers options for change.

Briefing Paper 2 considers the role and effectiveness of standing committees in the House of Commons. Since the publication of this paper, Standing Committees have been renamed Public Bill Committees and changes have been introduced to how they operate.

Briefing Paper 3 is on delegated legislation, an area of the legislative process that has been subject to considerable criticism in recent years with numerous calls for reform.

Briefing Paper 4 looks at looks at the history and context of the programming of legislation, recent reforms, criticisms, and further proposals for change.

Briefing Paper 5 calls for the extension of pre-legislative scrutiny in order to further strengthen the way in which Parliament makes the law.

Briefing Paper 6 on post-legislative scrutiny considers ways in which Parliament could review the laws that it passes and adds to calls for a more systematic programme of scrutiny to be introduced.

Briefing Paper 7 on European Union legislation explores the nature of regulations originating in the EU, and their impact on British law and policy.

Briefing Paper 8 on parliamentary scrutiny of European business examines how Westminster considers the activities of the EU and holds UK ministers to account. It analyses the strengths and weaknesses of current scrutiny arrangements.

Briefing Paper 9 looks at the role of joint committees in the parliamentary and legislative process. It concludes that joint committees and other forms of collaboration between select committees represent an important model for improving the work of Parliament.