Making laws

One of Parliament's main roles is debating and passing laws.

Why are new laws needed?
Find out why new laws are made and how they are developed.

Bills
A Bill is a proposal for a new law, or a proposal to change an existing law that is presented for debate before Parliament.

Passage of a Bill
How does a Bill become an Act? Find out the stages a Bill goes through before it becomes law.

Acts
An Act of Parliament creates a new law or changes an existing law.

Public Bills
Public Bills change the law as it applies to the general population and are the most common type of Bill introduced in Parliament.

Private Members' Bills
Private Members' Bills are Public Bills introduced by Members who aren't government ministers.

Private Bills
Private Bills only change the law as it applies to specific individuals or organisations, rather than the general public.

Hybrid Bills
Hybrid Bills mix the characteristics of Public and Private Bills.

Draft Bills
Draft Bills are Bills issued for consultation before being formally introduced to Parliament.

Delegated legislation
Delegated or secondary legislation is usually concerned with detailed changes to the law made under powers from an existing Act of Parliament.

Parliamentary sovereignty
Parliamentary sovereignty is a principle of the UK constitution. It makes Parliament the supreme legal authority in the UK, which can create or end any law.

Parliament Acts
Although rarely used, the Parliament Acts provide a way of solving disagreement between the Commons and the Lords.