Law Reform and Influences on Parliament8️⃣

Question 1

Influences on Parliament

Answer 1

1. Political Influence – Parties create manifestos with proposed laws if elected.
   
   2. Political Example – Labour’s manifesto led to the Hunting Act 2004 (ban on fox hunting).
   3. Media & Public Opinion – Public campaigns can pressure Parliament, especially near elections.
   4. Media Example – Snowdrop Campaign led to the Firearms (Amendment) (No.2) Act 1997.
   5. Sectional Pressure Groups – Represent specific groups and give expert input in law-making.
   6. Sectional Example – BMA influenced Health Act 2006 (smoking ban in public).
   7. Cause Pressure Groups – Campaign for moral/environmental issues like human rights.
   8. Cause Example – League Against Cruel Sports influenced the Hunting Act 2004; Fathers 4 Justice failed despite extreme protest.

Question 2

Law Commission – Law Reform

Answer 2

1. Set up – Created by the Law Commission Act 1965, chaired by a High Court judge with 4 legal experts.
   
   2. Main role – s3: Keep law under review for systematic development and reform.
   3. Codification – Combines all law on a topic into one code. 1989 criminal code was never implemented.
   4. Consolidation – Combines existing laws into one Act. E.g., Family Law Act 1996.
   5. Repeal – Removes outdated laws. 19 repeal Acts removed thousands of obsolete laws.
   6. Referral – Reform ideas come from Lord Chancellor or the Commission itself.
   7. Consultation – A paper is shared with interested parties, showing current law, problems & reform options.
   8. Proposal – Final report includes a draft bill, which Parliament may choose to pass like any other bill.