UK Law

Tag: Legislative Law

  • Swearing

    Swearing in Meaning, as used in the UK Parliament Swearing in is the process of making an oath – or a solemn affirmation – of allegiance to the Crown. Members of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords are required to swear in before they can take their seats in Parliament. Resources…

  • Committee

    Selection and Character Committee in relation with the Courts and Tribunals in England Selection decisions and decisions on good character are made at a formal meeting of Commissioners sitting as the Selection and Character Committee (SCC). The SCC makes the formal recommendations that go to […]

  • Lobbies

    Content and Not Content Lobbies (Aye and No Lobbies) Meaning, as used in the UK Parliament The corridors to the left and right of the Chamber in both Houses are used as division lobbies when either House divides for a vote. Members cast their vote by walking through either one lobby or the […]

  • Lord Chancellor

    Note: For information about Chancellor in general, click here. The Lord Chancellor is the minister responsible to Parliament for courts, tribunals and the justice system. He has a statutory duty to uphold the continued independence of the judiciary. His statutory responsibilities include […]

  • Modernisation Committee

    Modernisation Committee Meaning, as used in the UK Parliament Following the Dissolution of Parliament on 12th April, all select committees have ceased to exist unless or until the House renominates them following the election on 6th May. There are no chairs or members of committees. The […]

  • Referendum

    Referendum Meaning, as used in the UK Parliament A referendum is when a question is decided by putting it to a public vote. Referendums are an example of direct democracy. In the UK, most decisions are made by Parliament on behalf of the public which is known as indirect or representative democracy.

  • Press Gallery

    Press Gallery Meaning, as used in the UK Parliament The Press Gallery is reserved for journalists accredited by the Serjeant at Arms. The term is also used to describe the members of the Press Gallery. The Parliamentary Press Gallery Committee was formed in 1881 to safeguard the interests of […]

  • Remaining Orders

    Remaining orders Meaning, as used in the UK Parliament Remaining orders are items of Commons business that have not yet been scheduled for a specific date. They are normally listed at the end of the future business in the daily Commons business papers. Resources See Also Effective orders […]

  • Secondary Legislation

    Secondary legislation Meaning, as used in the UK Parliament An Act of Parliament (primary legislation) will often empower ministers to make further regulations within its scope after it has become law. These regulations are 'secondary' or 'delegated' legislation. Delegated […]

  • Hansard

    Definition of Hansard In accordance with the work A Dictionary of Law, this is a description of Hansard : The name by which the Official Report of Parliamentary Debates is customarily referred to (after the Hansard family, who – as printers to the House of Commons – were concerned with […]

  • Portcullis

    Portcullis Meaning, as used in the UK Parliament The crowned portcullis is the official emblem or logo of the UK Parliament. It is an image of a grilled gate of the type found on medieval castles with a crown on top. It has been formally authorised as a royal badge and is subject to terms…

  • Orders of Council

    Orders of Council Meaning, as used in the UK Parliament Orders of Council are decisions of the Privy Council which have the force of law. Unlike Orders in Council, these do not require personal approval by HM Queen and can be made by government ministers. Resources See Also Privy Council […]

  • Financial Privilege

    Financial Privilege Meaning, as used in the UK Parliament Financial privilege refers to the special right of the House of Commons to decide public taxes and public spending. It may be used by the Commons as grounds for overruling any House of Lords proposal that has cost implications.

  • Programme Motion

    Programme motion Meaning, as used in the UK Parliament A programme motion can be used by the government to timetable a Bill's progress through the House of Commons by setting out the time allowed for debate at each of its stages. The motion is usually put forward for agreement immediately […]

  • Prorogation

    Definition of Prorogation Prorogation marks the end of the parliamentary session. Prorogation Meaning, as used in the UK Parliament When a parliamentary session comes to an end the House is prorogued until the next session begins. Prorogation is the formal end to the parliamentary year. […]