Act of Parliament

Act of Parliament is a form of legislation that is passed by the parliament of a country and becomes a law. It is a primary source of law in many countries, particularly those that follow the Westminster system of government, such as the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

Overview

An Act of Parliament creates a new law or changes an existing law. An Act is a bill that has received royal assent from the monarch (in countries with a monarchy) or the president (in republics). Once an Act is passed, it is binding on all individuals and organizations within the jurisdiction of the parliament that passed it.

Process

The process of passing an Act of Parliament varies between countries, but generally involves several stages. These include drafting, committee scrutiny, and several readings and votes in both houses of parliament (if the parliament is bicameral). The bill is then sent to the monarch or president for royal assent.

Types of Acts

There are several types of Acts of Parliament, including public general acts, private acts, and hybrid acts. Public general acts apply to the entire population, while private acts only apply to specific individuals or organizations. Hybrid acts are a combination of the two.

Interpretation

The interpretation of Acts of Parliament is a key function of the judiciary. Courts interpret the meaning of Acts and how they apply to specific cases. This can involve considering the legislative intent behind the Act, as well as the literal rule, golden rule, and mischief rule of statutory interpretation.

See also

• Statute
• Legislation
• Bill (law)
• Royal assent
• Statutory interpretation