UK Law

Author: David Jane

  • Wash-up

    Wash-up Meaning, as used in the UK Parliament The wash-up period refers to the last few days of a Parliament before dissolution. Any unfinished business is lost at dissolution and the Government may need the co-operation of the Opposition in passing legislation that is still in progress. […]

  • Ballot Bills

    Ballot Bills Meaning, as used in the UK Parliament Ballot Bills are a type of Private Members' Bill used only in the House of Commons. At the start of each new parliamentary year, all backbench Members of the Parliament are invited to enter a ballot. The few Members of the Parliament who […]

  • Pairing

    Pairing Meaning, as used in the UK Parliament Pairing is an arrangement between two Members of the Parliament of opposing parties to not vote in a particular division. This enables an Member of Parliament to be absent without affecting the result of the vote as they effectively cancel each […]

  • Parliamentary Agent

    Parliamentary Agent Meaning, as used in the UK Parliament Parliamentary Agents are special lawyers who introduce and promote Private Bills through Parliament. As Private Bills affect only a particular group or individual such as a company or a local council it is up to them to petition […]

  • Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards

    Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards Meaning, as used in the UK Parliament The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards is an independent officer of the House of Commons. His or her job is to oversee the Register of Members' Financial Interests and the Code of Conduct for Members of […]

  • Writ of Summons

    Writ of summons Meaning, as used in the UK Parliament A writ of summons is a document calling members of the Lords to Parliament. Members of the House of Lords may not take their seats until they have obtained their writ of summons. Writs of summons are issued by direction of the Lord […]

  • Minority Government

    Minority government Meaning, as used in the UK Parliament A minority government is a government formed by a political party that does not have an overall majority of Members of the Parliament in the House of Commons. A party may decide to govern alone – rather than form a coalition with […]

  • Reasoned Amendments

    Reasoned amendments Meaning, as used in the UK Parliament If an Member of Parliament wishes to record reasons for objecting to the Second Reading, or more rarely the Third Reading, of a Bill they can table a reasoned amendment. The reasoned amendment should offer reasons for rejecting the […]

  • Backbench

    Backbench (backbenchers) Meaning, as used in the UK Parliament Backbenchers are Members of the Parliament or members of the House of Lords that are neither government ministers nor opposition Shadow spokespeople . They are so called because, in the Chamber, they sit in the rows of benches […]