law reforms

Question 1

what are the different things that can influence parliament

Answer 1

law commission
political influence-manifestos
public opinion
media
pressure groups/ lobbyists
public inquiries

Question 2

when was the law commission set up and what people are there

Answer 2

1965
chair person
4 law commissioners
support staff

Question 3

what are the aims of the law commission

Answer 3

to ensure law is
fair
modern
simple
cost effective

Question 4

what 4 different things do the law commission do to achieve their aims

Answer 4

reform
codification
consolidation
repeal

Question 5

what does it mean when the law commission reforms

Answer 5

the lc select an area of law that they believes needs reforming and ask for permission to draft a report

Question 6

what does it mean when the law commission codifies

Answer 6

when they codify large areas into law codes
they often focus on small areas as large ones have proved too difficult

Question 7

what are the benefits of the law commission codifying

Answer 7

makes law more simple and accessible to the public

Question 8

what does it mean when the law commission consolidates

Answer 8

when several statutes are combined into one act
eg the powers of criminal courts act 2000

Question 9

what does it mean when the law commission repeals

Answer 9

the law commission will suggest laws that are no longer needed

Question 10

what are the successes of the law commission

Answer 10

after creation around 85% of suggestions were enacted
after 1984 only 50%were enacted
now gov rejects 1 in 6

Question 11

what are the advantages of the law commission

Answer 11

areas of law are reasurched by legal experts
whole areas can be considered not just small issues
the law commission consults before finalising proposals
if parliament enacts the reform of a whole area then law all in one act

Question 12

what are the disadvantages of the law commission

Answer 12

failure by parliament to implement reforms
lack of parliament time
gov may not follow all the recomendations when the law is passed
gov dosent have to consult law commission on changes to the law

Question 13

how do political parties share their ideas to the public before elections

Answer 13

manifesto

Question 14

at the opening of each session what does the government do

Answer 14

announce its plan for new laws in the kings speach (written by pm)

Question 15

what are private members bills

Answer 15

bills introduced my mps with a purpose to apply the to the general population

Question 16

how much time is allocated to private members bills

Answer 16

less than public bills

Question 17

give an example of a private members bill

Answer 17

the computer misuse act 1967

Question 18

what are the advantages of political influence

Answer 18

if gov has a large majority public can choose what they wnat
changes are debated

Question 19

what are the disadvantages of political influence

Answer 19

new gov can repeal old law
if gov has a large majority they can push through proposals

Question 20

what is a media influence

Answer 20

something like news paper, social media, tv ect

Question 21

how does media influence the law

Answer 21

if a large amount of people protest online they bring attention to public opinion

Question 22

name acts that have gotten attention from the media

Answer 22

dangerous dogs act 1991
harpers law
clare’s law

Question 23

what are the advantages of media influence

Answer 23

can raise awareness to public concerns
public can use the media to raise concerns

Question 24

what are the disadvantages of media influence

Answer 24

some media gives a biased result
some story’s are exaggerated

Question 25

what are pressure groups

Answer 25

people who share the same interest in a cause and try to influence changes in the law

Question 26

what are lobbiests

Answer 26

communicate the views of special interest groups to lawmakers, including members of Congress

Question 27

give and example of a smaller pressure groups that created an act

Answer 27

the snowdrop campaign helped to pass the firearms (amendment) act 1997

Question 28

what’s an insider group

Answer 28

a group that are consulted by gov regularly

Question 29

what are the advantages of pressure groups

Answer 29

experts in their groups
different aims
often raise important issues

Question 30

what are the disadvantages of pressure groups

Answer 30

activities can be criminal
often impose ideas on others

Question 31

how can public opinion influence the law

Answer 31

through media
petitions

Question 32

how many signatures does a petition need to be considered in parliament

Answer 32

100,000

Question 33

what are the advantages of public opinion

Answer 33

100,000 signatures=debate in parliament
public can contact mps

Question 34

what are the disadvantages of public opinion

Answer 34

limited support
two petitions could have opposing ideas