Legislation question.

I would have thought 1 and 3. But what does the printed answer say?

‘Those who draft statute cannot anticipate every case which may arise’. That’s just impossible to predict, today, a complete set of scenaria that will occur, say, 50 years in the future.

‘The electoral system means that the statute-making process responds to public opinion’. Public opinion is consistently fickle – that’s why there are ‘swing seats’ in general elections. I remember many years ago that there was an unofficial referendum asking whether the system of capital punishment / the death sentence should be re-introduced into the UK judicial system. I seem to remember that the public voted in favour by around 70% but the parliament did not respond to the public’s opinion.

‘Courts may strike out any legislation which is contrary to the European Convention on Human Rights’. This is still valid even though UK is no longer in the European Community.

‘An Act always comes into operation immediately after it receives Royal Assent’. Basically, no! Built into new legislation are normally future dates and time limits. When an Act is passed, this supersedes existing practice so those people that are adversely affected by the new Act are given time to reorganise their activities so as to be able to comply with the new legislation

OK?

Well, good luck with that! Let me know how you get on

Thanks for this Jon – it’s a matter of which I have never previously been aware 🙂