This document provides an overview of the process by which an idea becomes established in the UK legal system and sources for finding information about each stage, including: 1) An initial ministerial speech or green paper outlining the idea. 2) A white paper with more detailed proposals that may be subject to consultation. 3) Introduction of a bill in Parliament that can be followed on their website. 4) An act of Parliament if passed, available on legislation websites along with any subsequent court judgments interpreting the act. Secondary sources like newspapers, journals, and textbooks may discuss and debate the issue throughout the process.

1. Reading and writing Law: introductionPete SmithInformation Adviser

2. The Structure of Government and Legal informationPRIMARYSECONDARYGreen PapersJournal articlesReportsWhite PapersEncyclopaediasJudgmentsBillsTextbooksActs of ParliamentStatutory InstrumentsNewspapers

3. Sources and where to find themWe will now follow an idea from its beginning through to its becoming established in the legal system.We will look at how and where we can find information about the idea.

4. The ideaA Minister gives a speech, introducing a potential new policy.It could be reported on the Ministry/ Department websiteIt could be discussed in newspapershttp://www.flickr.com/photos/markhillary/

5. The idea developsThe government decides to take the idea further, and issues a general proposal- often known as a Green PaperAvailable from the Official Publications website http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/ Provides all Command Papers from 2004There may be an associated consultation siteMay also be discussed on campaign and lobby group websites, e.g. The Literacy Trust covered Every Child MattersMay be covered in newspapers

6. Proposal for legislationFollowing the discussion of the Green Paper, the government may issue a Command Paper outlining proposed legislation- often referred to as a White PaperAvailable from Official Publications http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/ Provides all Command Papers from 2004There may be a consultation siteMay also be discussed on campaign/lobby group websitesMay be covered in newspapers

7. The BillThe government decides to introduce legislation- usually this is announced in the Queen's Speech.Current Bills can be found on the Parliament website http://services.parliament.uk/bills/You can follow their progress, read debates and see changes Proposed legislation will also be discussed in newspapers and journal articles

8. The ActShould it make it through Parliament, the Bill will become an Act of Parliamenthttp://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/about_legislationhttp://www.bailii.org/uk/legis/num_act/Current Law Statutes Annotated- print source, provides commentary on Acts. Useful for following development of ActsLexisLibrary and WestlawOPSI, Bailii, LexisLibrary and Westlaw also list Statutory Instruments

9. Up before the CourtsJudgments and opinions relating to the Act may be publishedhttp://www.bailii.org/LexisLibrary, Westlaw, Casetrack, LawtelNote: cases from lower courts- magistrates, crown, county- are NOT reported.

10. Citations- NeutralR (on the application of Purdy) (Appellant) v Director of Public Prosecutions (Respondent) [2009] UKHL 45

11. Citation- ProprietaryAustin and another v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis[2009] UKHL 5 [2009] AC 564

12. Discussion and debateAs it progresses from suggestion to Act and beyond, the idea will be discussed and debatedJournalsavailable via LitSearch, the catalogue and in hard copyEncyclopaediasSuch as Halsburys Laws of England, updated each monthTextbooksNewspapers

13. An example The Terrorism Act 2000

14. Cm 3420 Inquiry and Cm 4178 Consultation paper http://www.archive.official-documents.co.ukTerrorism Bill 1999http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.com/pa/cm199900/cmbills/010/2000100.htmTerrorism Act 2000http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/ukpga_20000011_en_1ActIdeaBillDiscussed in secondary sources:-NewspapersJournalsEncyclopaediasTextbooksR v Z [2005] UKHL 35 [2005] 2 AC 645 http://www.bailii.org/uk/cases/UKHL/2005/35.htmlCase

15. Finding materialsYou will use a range of tools to find materialsThe Learning Centre catalogueOnline databasesSearch engines