ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses at the different ways in which law is made within the UK, and examines the practical consequences and problems that is created. Effectively five groups of people have the power to create law: the national assembly, delegated legislation, law can be made by judges the system known as 'precedent', law can be made by the European Union, finally law can be made by an 'Order of the Privy Council'. In a federal country, such as the USA or Germany, there may be both a national legislature and state legislatures each with their own areas of legislative authority. Any important bill will begin with a first reading in the House of Commons, followed by a first reading in the House of Lords. The first reading simply records the fact that the bill is now on the agenda. Then the bill will receive a second reading, first in the House of Commons followed by the House of Lords.
