Questions and Answers
What type of Acts generally apply to England and may also apply to Wales if not devolved?
How many statutory instruments are typically made each year?
What is the primary characteristic of tertiary legislation?
What distinguishes quasi-legislation or soft law from other legislative forms?
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What is a common feature of statutory instruments?
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Which of the following correctly describes a Public General Act?
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What is the term for regulations and orders created under an Act of Parliament?
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What is the status of Local or Personal Acts in the legislative framework?
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Study Notes
Primary Legislation
- Comprises Acts of Parliament passed by Parliament.
- Most Acts are 'Public General Acts' applicable generally in England.
- Public General Acts apply in Wales unless related to matters devolved to the Welsh Assembly Government.
- Typically apply in Scotland as well, barring devolved matters for the Scottish Parliament.
- Each Act specifies its coverage extent.
Types of Acts
- 'Local or Personal Acts' apply only in specific localities or to particular individuals.
- Important to reference Box 3.6 for further details on Local or Personal Acts.
Secondary Legislation
- Supplementary to primary legislation; includes regulations and orders under the authority of an Act.
- Generally referred to as statutory instruments (SIs).
- More than 3,000 statutory instruments are enacted annually, comprising extensive documentation.
- Not subjected to rigorous parliamentary scrutiny.
- Some statutory instruments require government consultation with specialist advisory committees as outlined in Box 3.9.
Tertiary Legislation
- Consists of legislative instruments authorized by Acts of Parliament, lacking parliamentary scrutiny.
- Ministers possess powers to issue directives or instruments that have the force of law without parliamentary discussion.
- Common in areas like housing law and other government sectors.
Other Regulatory Instruments
- Quasi-legislation or soft law includes codes of good practice or guidance documents.
- May be established under an Act of Parliament and occasionally subject to parliamentary approval.
- Examples include the Highway Code and police behaviour codes created under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.
- Such instruments generally avoid detailed parliamentary debate.
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Description
This quiz examines primary legislation, focusing on Acts of Parliament passed in England, Wales, and Scotland. It covers the distinctions between Public General Acts and Local or Personal Acts, along with their applicability across different regions. Test your understanding of how these laws are formulated and enforced.
