DOCSLIB.ORG

What the Lords and Its Members Do

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
What the Lords and Its Members Do Playing a vital role in making laws Investigating public policy Checking government action 2 | House of Lords House of Lords | 1 The House of Lords Asking government to is part of the UK Making laws think again Parliament in London public policy The House of Lords is Investigating the second chamber of Parliament. It is independent from, and complements the work of, the Parliament is ? “ the heart of our “ elected House of Commons democracy. It is – they share responsibility the meeting place Questioning for the House of and debating for making laws and checking Commons and the government action. House of Lords. 2 | House of Lords House of Lords | 3 Checking bills and making better laws The House of Lords spends most of its time in the chamber checking bills The Lords plays an essential role in improving the Differences in the House of Lords content of bills (draft laws): highlighting potential Most bills are brought to Parliament by the problems and ensuring they will be workable laws. government and most of the MPs in the House of Commons belong to the party or parties of How a bill becomes a law 2010/11 400 All bills must be approved by the House of Lords government, so the government usually wins votes hours 610 and the House of Commons to become law. A bill on bills in the Commons. Fewer than half the examining bills goes through these steps in each House: members of the House of Lords belong to the changes made government parties. This is because many members First Reading don’t belong to a political party; the crossbenchers 2,499 1 Bill is introduced (no debate) and bishops. changes considered Second Reading There are also important differences between the 47 2 Debate on main principles Houses in how they carry out some of the steps 13 (left) in checking a bill. In the Lords, at: bills checked bills Committee Stage • committee stage, there is no selection of made law C Line by line examination amendments: all can be considered • committee stage, debate on amendments Report Stage is not time limited R Further examination • third reading, ‘tidying up’ amendments can be made. Third Reading Value of the House of Lords 3 Final debate The lack of a government majority, the more relaxed party discipline, and the fact that the CA Consideration of Amendments (or ‘ping pong’) House’s procedures give members great freedom Each House considers the other’s changes to propose and debate amendments, mean that the Lords sometimes reaches different conclusions on Royal Assent (Law) bills, and agrees amendments asking the Commons RA When they agree the final content, a bill gets and the government to ‘think again’. Royal Assent and is made law 4 | House of Lords House of Lords | 5 Wide-ranging committee Questioning government action, seeking investigations into public policy information and debating current issues Committee work is a way for the House to Another important function of the House of investigate public policy and government activity Lords is to hold government to account. in detail. The experience of the House’s • Questions are asked in the chamber at 2010/11 membership is an especially useful resource in 39 the start of business. They are also asked in carrying out this work. reports writing.They are a chance to seek information about government decisions and actions. Committees are smaller groups of members made by the five main • The government makes statements to the that meet away from the chamber, regularly committees in 2010/11 House about developments and emergencies, meeting people, organisations and government or to report back after international meetings. representatives during their investigations. They They provide valuable time for members to investigate broad, long-term issues and produce ask questions and probe government activity. in-depth reports on their findings. The reports 7,546 73 • Debates take place on public policy and on are debated by the House in the chamber and questions debates The permanent five specialist issues. They are an opportunity to often provoke discussion outside Parliament. The asked held committees examine draw the government’s attention to concerns. government always responds to House of Lords these subjects: reports, which the committee follows up. • the constitution “ • communications • economic affairs ? “ • the European Union • science and technology. 6 | House of Lords House of Lords | 7 Breadth of knowledge and independence of thought Members of the House of Lords come from different backgrounds and professions. Many remain active in their careers and are experts in their fields – the House draws on this professional experience in its examination of legislation and government, and to carry out its investigative committee work. 8 | House of Lords House of Lords | 9 medicine Diversity and breadth of knowledge business Most members have a political background, some the arts don’t. All come from different walks of life, from across the UK, and represent a wide range of professions – in medicine, law, business, the arts, 429 science Members by party or group 2010/11 science, sports, education, the armed forces, Average daily diplomacy and public service. Labour attendance academia Conservative Independence of thought health The House of Lords is characterised by independence of thought: Crossbench politics • members who belong to the political parties are not subject to the same degree of discipline diplomacy as in the House of Commons – they do not necessarily vote according to their party’s policy law • a significant part of the membership is non-party political: the crossbenchers and the bishops Liberal Democrat • members of the House of Lords represent The unit which defines the issues that concern them, not geographical Members of the House of Lords Parliament’s work is a session. constituencies. are appointed by the Queen It varies in length but, whether on the advice of the Prime calculated by session, calendar Minister. Some non-party political Bishops or financial year, the working members are recommended by year averages around 150 the House of Lords Appointments sitting days. The statistics in Commission, an independent body House of Lords membership figures are not fixed. There are approximately 800 members. This graph indicates proportions this booklet relate to the (www.lordsappointments.gov.uk). of the parties and groups (as at 31 March 2011). 2010/11 financial year. 10 10 | | House House ofof LordsLords House of Lords | 11 People Organisation Leader of Lord Clerk of the Black Rod the House Speaker Parliaments of Lords Leader of the House of Lords Clerk of the Parliaments How the business of the House is run The Leader of the House is a member of the The Clerk of the Parliaments is the most senior The government and the main opposition party Cabinet and the most senior member of the official in the Lords, he employs the staff and is or parties each have a leader, business managers government in the Lords, responsible for its responsible for its management, administration (‘whips’) who organise the work of the House business in the House. He leads a team of about and finances. He also has responsibilities in the and spokespeople who sit on the frontbench. The 25 ministers and whips. The Leader also has chamber during business. crossbenchers have a Convenor. obligations to the House as a whole: expressing its collective feelings on formal occasions and Black Rod The administration giving procedural advice, e.g. in disputes over Black Rod is responsible for security, controlling The administration supports the whole House in who will speak next during questions. access to and maintaining order within the carrying out its duties. It is responsible for advising House and its precincts. He also has important on parliamentary procedure and is politically Lord Speaker ceremonial duties. impartial. It also performs a range of everyday The Lord Speaker presides over business in the corporate functions, from finance and catering to chamber. The House of Lords is self-regulating property management and security. so, unlike the Commons’ Speaker, the Lord Speaker does not call the House to order or Decisions about how the House operates are made choose who will speak next. The Lord Speaker by groups of members or staff with responsibility for is elected by the House and is politically these issues. impartial. 12 | House of Lords House of Lords | 13 Reaching out Lords online Find out more about the House Members connect with of Lords through a range of new audiences and open The House of Lords outreach programme multimedia and online resources up new ways of explaining encourages members to meet with and hear that complement our website, the work of the House. from individuals and groups from every part of the UK, with activities including: including: • sending members into schools to talk to • Facebook and Twitter activities and answer questions from GCSE and sixth- • House of Lords photo and video content form students about the work of the House available from Flickr and YouTube • welcoming groups to the House for events • Lords of the Blog (lordsoftheblog.net) – and tours hear firsthand about life and work in the • hosting an annual event for young people to House from its members debate in the chamber. Members have visited over 500 schools. Register your school in the Peers in Schools programme, email: [email protected]. Find out more about our initiatives from www.parliament.uk/lords Parliament’s Education Service offers resources Members of the Lords reach out and opportunities for teachers and students. Members play an active ambassadorial role in Go to: www.parliament.uk/education building an understanding of the House and its Parliament’s Outreach Service delivers free membership as part of their contribution to training and shows how you can get involved parliamentary life.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Westminster Abbey a Service for the New Parliament
    St Margaret’s Church Westminster Abbey A Service for the New Parliament Wednesday 8th January 2020 9.30 am The whole of the church is served by a hearing loop. Users should turn the hearing aid to the setting marked T. Members of the congregation are kindly requested to refrain from using private cameras, video, or sound recording equipment. Please ensure that mobile telephones and other electronic devices are switched off. The service is conducted by The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster. The service is sung by the Choir of St Margaret’s Church, conducted by Greg Morris, Director of Music. The organ is played by Matthew Jorysz, Assistant Organist, Westminster Abbey. The organist plays: Meditation on Brother James’s Air Harold Darke (1888–1976) Dies sind die heil’gen zehn Gebot’ BWV 678 Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) The Lord Speaker is received at the East Door. All stand as he is conducted to his seat, and then sit. The Speaker of the House of Commons is received at the East Door. All stand as he is conducted to his seat, and then sit. 2 O R D E R O F S E R V I C E All stand to sing THE HYMN E thou my vision, O Lord of my heart, B be all else but naught to me, save that thou art, be thou my best thought in the day and the night, both waking and sleeping, thy presence my light. Be thou my wisdom, be thou my true word, be thou ever with me, and I with thee, Lord; be thou my great Father, and I thy true son, be thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.
    [Show full text]
  • Board of the Shadow Sponsor Body
    BOARD OF THE SHADOW SPONSOR BODY Minutes Meeting Date 15 October 2019 Location Board Room, Ground Floor, Richmond House Start 12.00pm Time End 3.00pm Board Members Present Elizabeth Peace (Chair) Lord Carter of Coles Lord Deighton Brigid Janssen Sir Patrick McLoughlin MP Marta Phillips Mark Tami MP Simon Thurley Simon Wright Officials in Attendance Name Position Item Dr John Benger Clerk of the House of Commons Ed Ollard Clerk of the Parliaments Sarah Johnson CEO, shadow Sponsor Body (SSB) Kate Emms Interim Director, SSB Michael Torrance Head of Secretariat, SSB Susannah Street Board Secretary, SSB Johanna Porter Governance Support Officer, SSB Matthew White Programme Delivery Director, R&R Delivery Team Andy Piper Design Director, R&R Delivery Team 4 & 9 Melissa Hamnett Head of Heritage Collections and Curator of Works of 4 Art, House of Commons Amanda Colledge Business Case Director, SSB Ainsley Moore Finance Director, Pricewaterhouse Coopers 5 Ian Dougal Head of Security Projects, Parliamentary Security 7 Department Sir Lindsay Hoyle Chairman of Ways and Means, House of Commons 7 Helen Wood House of Commons 7 Tim Parkin Sponsor Set-up Programme Manager, SSB Richard Caseby Director of External Relations, SSB Richard Ware Director of Parliament and Government Relations, SSB Mike Brough Director of Commissioning and Delivery Assurance, SSB Apologies Baroness Scott of Needham Market, Neil Gray MP and Lord Geidt sent their apologies. Declarations of Interest There were no declarations of interest. Simon Wright was being made SRO (Senior Responsible Officer) for the Estate-Wide Engineering Infrastructure and Resilience (EWEIR) Programme: he said that he would inform the Board if he ever perceived a conflict between his two roles.
    [Show full text]
  • Department of the Legislative Council
    ANNUAL REPORT Department of the Legislative Council 2013–14 Department of the Legislative Council Annual Report 2013–14 i ii Department of the Legislative Council Annual Report 2013–14 DEPARTMENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 2013-14 Department of the Legislative Council Annual Report 2013–14 1 2 Department of the Legislative Council Annual Report 2013–14 Table of Contents Clerk’s Overview 7 PROVISION OF INFORMATION 19 Legislative Council Information Sheets 19 Departmental Vision 9 Register of Members’ Interests 19 Departmental Goals 9 Review of House Readers and Service Delivery 9 Auto-text Database 19 Corporate Governance 9 PUBLIC AWARENESS AND EDUCATION 20 YMCA Youth Parliament 20 People and Resources 9 Open Day 20 Business of the Department 9 Australasian Study of Parliament Group 20 Organisation Chart 10 Presentations for Internal and External Groups 21 Seminar for public service officers 21 Service Delivery 13 HOSPITALITY AND VISITORS 21 PROCEDURAL ADVICE 13 Official Visitors and Delegations 21 Advice to the President and Members 13 Sister State Delegations 22 Anticipation Rule 13 President’s Delegation to Greece 22 Introduction of Bills currently before the Legislative Australian Political Exchange Assembly 13 Council Delegation 23 Sub-judice Convention 13 Visit of Officers from the New South Wales Suggested Amendments to Financial Legislation 14 Legislative Council 23 Amendments to bills in Committee of the Whole 14 Corporate Governance 25 Production of Documents 14 DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT Procedure Committee 15 AND PLANNING 25 Procedural
    [Show full text]
  • State Opening of Parliament State Opening of Parliament 1
    State Opening of Parliament State Opening of Parliament 1 The State Opening of Parliament marks the Start of Parliament’s year start of the parliamentary year and the Queen’s The Queen’s Speech, delivered at State Opening, is the public Speech sets out the government’s agenda. statement of the government’s legislative programme for Parliament’s next working year. State Opening is the only regular occasion when the three constituent parts of Parliament that have to give their assent to new laws – the Sovereign, the House of Lords and the House of Commons – meet. The Speech is written by the government and read out in the House of Lords. Parliamentary year Queen’s Speech A ‘parliament’ runs from one general Members of both Houses and guests election to the next (five years). It is including judges, ambassadors and high broken up into sessions which run for commissioners gather in the Lords about a year – the ‘parliamentary year’. chamber for the speech. Many wear national or ceremonial dress.The Lord State Opening takes place on the first Chancellor gives the speech to the day of a new session. The Queen’s Queen who reads it out from the Speech marks the formal start to the Throne (right and see diagram on year. Neither House can conduct any page 4). business until after it has been read. Setting the agenda The speech is central to the State Contents Opening ceremony because it sets out the government’s legislative agenda Start of Parliament’s year 1 for the year. The final words, ‘Other Buckingham Palace to the House of Lords 2 measures will be laid before you’, give How it happens 4 the government flexibility to introduce Back to work 5 other bills (draft laws).
    [Show full text]
  • Parliamentary Conventions
    REPORT Parliamentary Conventions Jacqy Sharpe About the Author Jacqy Sharpe is a former Clerk in the House of Commons. Her period as Clerk of the Journals provided her with significant insight into the historical and contemporary context of parliamentary conventions and procedure. Message from the Author With thanks to Dr Andrew Blick, Sir David Beamish, Helen Irwin and Sir Malcolm Jack for their comments on drafts of this paper. The conclusions, and any errors or omissions, are, of course, the responsibility of the author. Parliamentary Conventions Executive Summary “General agreement or consent, as embodied in any accepted usage, standard, etc”1 “Rules of constitutional practice that are regarded as binding in operation, but not in law”2 “[B]inding rules of behaviour accepted by those at whom they are directed. A practice that is not invariable does not qualify.”3 A list of various conventions with a note on how, if at all, they, or the approaches to them, have lately been modified or changed: CONVENTION CURRENT POSITION Conventions relating to behaviour in the House of Commons Speaking in the House of Commons Members should address the House through the Chair Although both questioned and frequently breached, and refer to other Members in the third person, by the convention is generally accepted constituency or position. Except for opening speeches, maiden speeches and Accepted and generally observed where there is special reason for precision, Members should not read speeches, though they may refer to notes Attendance at debates Members
    [Show full text]
  • Legislative Council
    DEPARTMENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL annual report 1998-1999 1 JULY 1998 to 30 JUNE 1999 © Department of the Legislative Council Annual Report Contact: Manager, Procedure and Projects Office Department of the Legislative Council Parliament ofVlctorta Parliament House Sprtng Street Melbourne Vic 3002 Telephone: (03) 9651 8857 Facsimile: (03) 9650 5253 Department of the Legislative Council Parliament House Melbourne Victoria 3002 Australia 30 November 1999 The Hon. B.A. Chamberlain, M.L.C., President of the Legislative Council, Parliament House, MELBOURNE 3002 Dear Mr. President, I have pleasure in forwarding to you my report to the Legislative Council on the operations of the Department of the Legislative Council for the year ended 30 June 1999. The report reveals that 1998-99 was again a particularly busy year for the Department. As there is nothing to suggest that the demands made upon the administration will abate in the years ahead, it is important that the Department enter the new millenium well positioned to service the House and the Parliament in general. I am confident that this will be the case. As you are aware, this is the last occasion on which I shall be reporting to the House. Accordingly, I wish to thank you for your support as the Department's "ministerial" head and to place on record my sincere thanks to the staff who have contributed in first class fashion to the work of the Department during my tenure as both Clerk of the House and Clerk of the Parliaments. Their efforts are truly appreciated. Yours sincerely A.V. Bray Clerk of the Legislative Council Telephone 61 3 9651 8911 Facsimile 61 3 9650 5253 Email [email protected] ROLE OF THE DEPARTMENT ................
    [Show full text]
  • Complete Baronetage of 1720," to Which [Erroneous] Statement Brydges Adds
    cs CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME OF THE SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND GIVEN IN 1891 BY HENRY WILLIAMS SAGE CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 3 1924 092 524 374 Cornell University Library The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/cletails/cu31924092524374 : Complete JSaronetage. EDITED BY Gr. Xtl. C O- 1^ <»- lA Vi «_ VOLUME I. 1611—1625. EXETER WILLIAM POLLAKD & Co. Ltd., 39 & 40, NORTH STREET. 1900. Vo v2) / .|vt POirARD I S COMPANY^ CONTENTS. FACES. Preface ... ... ... v-xii List of Printed Baronetages, previous to 1900 xiii-xv Abbreviations used in this work ... xvi Account of the grantees and succeeding HOLDERS of THE BARONETCIES OF ENGLAND, CREATED (1611-25) BY JaMES I ... 1-222 Account of the grantees and succeeding holders of the baronetcies of ireland, created (1619-25) by James I ... 223-259 Corrigenda et Addenda ... ... 261-262 Alphabetical Index, shewing the surname and description of each grantee, as above (1611-25), and the surname of each of his successors (being Commoners) in the dignity ... ... 263-271 Prospectus of the work ... ... 272 PREFACE. This work is intended to set forth the entire Baronetage, giving a short account of all holders of the dignity, as also of their wives, with (as far as can be ascertained) the name and description of the parents of both parties. It is arranged on the same principle as The Complete Peerage (eight vols., 8vo., 1884-98), by the same Editor, save that the more convenient form of an alphabetical arrangement has, in this case, had to be abandoned for a chronological one; the former being practically impossible in treating of a dignity in which every holder may (and very many actually do) bear a different name from the grantee.
    [Show full text]
  • QUEENSLAND PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES HANDBOOK Introduction
    QUEENSLAND PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES HANDBOOK Introduction The Queensland Parliamentary Procedures handbook is designed to inform Ministers, other Members of the Legislative Assembly and departmental officers of the various procedures associated with the major functions of the Parliament. In particular, departmental officers will value the information provided about the legislative process, the tabling of papers and reports, and interaction with parliamentary committees. The handbook can be accessed on the Queensland Parliament website at: http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-assembly/procedures. Enquiries about the Parliamentary Procedures Handbook The Clerk of the Parliament Parliament House Queensland [email protected] August 2020 The Queensland Parliamentary Procedures Handbook Contents 1.0 Definition of Parliament and the functions of the Legislative Assembly .............................. 1 1.1 Definition of Parliament ........................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Overview of the functions of the Legislative Assembly ............................................................................ 1 1.3 Supply, confidence and government ........................................................................................................ 1 1.4 Legislative function ................................................................................................................................... 2 1.5 Financial control ......................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Westminster World Heritage Site Management Plan Steering Group
    WESTMINSTER WORLD HERITAGE SITE MANAGEMENT PLAN Illustration credits and copyright references for photographs, maps and other illustrations are under negotiation with the following organisations: Dean and Chapter of Westminster Westminster School Parliamentary Estates Directorate Westminster City Council English Heritage Greater London Authority Simmons Aerofilms / Atkins Atkins / PLB / Barry Stow 2 WESTMINSTER WORLD HERITAGE SITE MANAGEMENT PLAN The Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey including St. Margaret’s Church World Heritage Site Management Plan Prepared on behalf of the Westminster World Heritage Site Management Plan Steering Group, by a consortium led by Atkins, with Barry Stow, conservation architect, and tourism specialists PLB Consulting Ltd. The full steering group chaired by English Heritage comprises representatives of: ICOMOS UK DCMS The Government Office for London The Dean and Chapter of Westminster The Parliamentary Estates Directorate Transport for London The Greater London Authority Westminster School Westminster City Council The London Borough of Lambeth The Royal Parks Agency The Church Commissioners Visit London 3 4 WESTMINSTER WORLD HERITAGE S I T E M ANAGEMENT PLAN FOREWORD by David Lammy MP, Minister for Culture I am delighted to present this Management Plan for the Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey and St Margaret’s Church World Heritage Site. For over a thousand years, Westminster has held a unique architectural, historic and symbolic significance where the history of church, monarchy, state and law are inexorably intertwined. As a group, the iconic buildings that form part of the World Heritage Site represent masterpieces of monumental architecture from medieval times on and which draw on the best of historic construction techniques and traditional craftsmanship.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report 2018
    PARLIAMENT OF NEW SOUTH WALES DEPARTMENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT OF NEW SOUTH WALES PARLIAMENT DEPARTMENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL annual report 2018 l ANNUAL REPORT 2018 REPORT ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL Parliament of New South Wales Macquarie Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 www.parliament.nsw.gov.au Ph (02) 9230 2111 LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CONTACT US The Honourable John Ajaka MLC Legislative Council President of the Legislative Council Parliament House Parliament House Macquarie Street Macquarie Street Sydney NSW 2000 SYDNEY NSW 2000 www.parliament.nsw.gov.au Email [email protected] Dear Mr President Switchboard • (02) 9230 2111 It is with pleasure that I submit for your information and presentation between 9.00am and 5.00pm weekdays, excluding to the House the annual report for the Department of the Legislative public holidays Council for the year ended 30 June 2018. As you are aware, the Department of the Legislative Council is not @nswupperhouse legislatively required to table an annual report. However, as has @nsw_upperhouse been customary over previous years, the opportunity to provide information on the performance of the Department is embraced. The content of the report incorporates the reporting requirements of the Annual Reports (Departments) Act 1985 and the Public Finance ACCESS TO THE CHAMBER and Audit Act 1983, particularly in regard to the Department of the The Legislative Council Chamber and public areas of Legislative Council’s aims, objectives, operations and financial Parliament House are open to members of the public performance. from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm, every weekday (excluding I commend the report and hope you find it informative.
    [Show full text]
  • The Saunderson Family of Little Addington [Microform] / Edited by W.D. Sweeting
    cs • Sis VA THE lamfrmum Hamilg *{pF |aITTLE Reprinted from Itorijjampionsjjir* Stoics # <$iums, Parts iv. and Ti., 1884-85. EDITED BY THE REV. W. D. SWEETING, M.A., VICAR OF MAXEY, MARKET DEEPING. faortfjamptont The Drtdbn Prbss: TAYLOR & SON, 9 Collsgb Street. 1887. of Little Addington. 'THIS ancient Northamptonshire family, seated for / over three centuries at Little Addington Mansion and at Moulton Manor House, disappeared from the county at the death of Thomas Saunderson, vicar of Little Addington, in 1855. It seems within the special province of "N.N.&Q." to put on record some account of a family so long settled within the county. The Northamptonshire branch is one of several ancient lines descended from Robert de Bedic, of Bedic, co. Durham, livingin the nth century, whose descendant in the sixth generation, Alexander de Bedjc, living in 1333, was the last to retain the territorial description, as his son was the first to use the patronymic^ by which the family has since been known, of Sanderson,, or Saunderson, i.e., son of Alexander. Itis a collateral branch of the Saundersons, viscounts Castleton, and of the family of the great bishop of Lincoln,Robert Saunderson :it has also, by later inter-marriages, been reconnected with both these lines. 4 The best— known branches of the family are five in number : (a) that of Hedleyhope, and Brancepeth, co. Durham j(b) that of Saxby, co. Lincoln j(c) that of Blyth and Serlby, co. Notts.; (d) that of Little Addington and Moulton, co. Northants ;and {c) thac of Coombe, co. Kent.
    [Show full text]
  • The Blair Government's Proposal to Abolish the Lord Chancellor
    The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law CUA Law Scholarship Repository Scholarly Articles and Other Contributions Faculty Scholarship 2005 Playing Poohsticks with the British Constitution? The Blair Government's Proposal to Abolish the Lord Chancellor Susanna Frederick Fischer The Catholic University, Columbus School of Law Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarship.law.edu/scholar Part of the Law Commons Recommended Citation Susanna Frederick Fischer, Playing Poohsticks with the British Constitution? The Blair Government's Proposal to Abolish the Lord Chancellor, 24 PENN. ST. INT’L L. REV. 257 (2005). This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Faculty Scholarship at CUA Law Scholarship Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Scholarly Articles and Other Contributions by an authorized administrator of CUA Law Scholarship Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. I Articles I Playing Poohsticks with the British Constitution? The Blair Government's Proposal to Abolish the Lord Chancellor Susanna Frederick Fischer* ABSTRACT This paper critically assesses a recent and significant constitutional change to the British judicial system. The Constitutional Reform Act 2005 swept away more than a thousand years of constitutional tradition by significantly reforming the ancient office of Lord Chancellor, which straddled all three branches of government. A stated goal of this legislation was to create more favorable external perceptions of the British constitutional and justice system. But even though the enacted legislation does substantively promote this goal, both by enhancing the separation of powers and implementing new statutory safeguards for * Susanna Frederick Fischer is an Assistant Professor at the Columbus School of Law, The Catholic University of America, in Washington D.C.
    [Show full text]