Passing An Act

All Acts must be submitted to(=shown)  both Houses of Parliament in the draft form of a Bill. The legislative process involves three readings in both Houses. At the first reading, the title is read to Members of Parliament (MPs); at the second reading, MPs debate proposals. Then a standing committee will scrutinise the provisions (= study terms carefully) in the Bill and may amend(=change) it to ensure that it enshrines(=saves) the principles debated and approved at the second reading. This is reported back to MPs. At the third reading, the Bill is re-presented. The Bill then goes through readings in the upper house. The actual drafting of the legislation(=making new laws) is undertaken(=carried out) by Parliamentary Counsel. Finally, a Bill must receive Royal Assent(=approval) from the monarch before it becomes law on a specified date. In fact, this stage has been reduced to a formal reading of the short title of an Act in both Houses of Parliament and is now a formality.

Government Bills are introduced by the Government; Private Members Bills are proposed by MPs. Both methods may result in Public Acts that govern the general public. Private Acts affect particular individuals or institutions.