This document discusses the various influences that can lead to an Act of Parliament being created in the UK. It explains that lobbying from organizations, pressure groups, and individuals can influence the government to introduce new laws. It also notes that the government's own manifesto and commitments, EU law, recommendations from law reform agencies, public opinion, tragic events, and the work of the Law Commission can impact the legislative process in the UK.

2. Act of Parliament 2 LO: To understand the influences that exist which can lead to an Act of Parliament being created..

3. How does an Act of Parliament start? It starts outside Parliament Different organisations/people lobby the government to try to influence into creating new laws that are needed to tackle a problem in society. E.g. Brook Kinsella lobbied the government (successfully) to increase the statutory minimum sentence for knife murder from 15 years to 25 years after her brother was murdered in a knife attack.

4. Another example of change of legislation due to pressure groups In 1994 the Government agreed to reduce the age of homosexual sexual acts in private from 21 to 18 due to lobbying from pressure groups In 2000 the age of consent was reduced again further to 16.

5. Other influences – the Government Programme Leading up to a General Election a party will set out its proposals for reform in a manifesto. At the start of each parliamentary session the Government announces what particular laws it wants to introduce during that session.

6. Other influences – EU law EU is supreme We may bring in statutes to ensure our domestic law is in line with EU law. This could be because of an EU Regulation or Directive or the ECJ has made a ruling to say our law isn't compatible and needs to be changed. Sex Discrimination Act 1975 and 1986 were passed to bring UK law in line with EU law. Most EU laws are bought into force by delegated legislation.

7. Other influences – Miscellaneous Proposals for law reform can be put forward by law reform agencies , e.g. the Law Commission or inquiries after a review of current legislation As a result of a tragic incident e.g. Dunblane School Massacre resulted in Parliament passing Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997; 9/11 resulted in passing of Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001. Public opinion/media can change the law due to pressure from the public which gets media support e.g. MP Expenses. Video: MPs' expenses: the full list - Times Online

8. The Law Commission It was set up in 1965 to identify areas of law that are believed to be in need of reform. It can have matters referred to it from the Lord Chancellor or it may chose them itself. It will do this by researching the areas of law, drafting a consultation paper, sets out the problems and identifies proposals. TASK A: Read through pages 16-17 and consolidate the content into note format by making a mind map.

9. Past Exam Questions on Influences in Parliamentary Law Making January 2009: Describe any one influence operating on Parliament before or during the legislative process. (10 marks) January 2010: (b) Describe either pressure groups or the media as an influence operating on Parliament in the making of laws. (10 marks) (c) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the influence described in your answer to Question 2(b). (10 marks)

10. Task B – Essay Use pages 15 – 21 to help you What ways may the Government be influenced to introduce a new law and are these methods effective? (20 marks – 10 marks for influences, 10 marks for advs and dsiadvs).

11. Homework Look at the law commissions website: www.lawcom.gov.uk and make a list of three areas of law which the Law Commission is currently researching.