Legal Structures of British Government - Essay Example

Legal Structures of British Government Act of Settlement 1701 proved as one of the seminal acts of Parliament in UK which actually set the very foundation of the Kingdom of Great Britain. This act has not only resulted into the Parliamentary reunion of Scotland and England but also decided about the role of foreigners as well as the power of Monarch with respect to the Parliament. This act therefore laid the foundations for the overall legal structure of the British Government and how the relationships between the Parliament and Monarchy will actually shape.

It is however important to note that some of the legal structures defined in the act were later changed through the legislation process. (Stevens, 2002) The overall law making authority is really diverse in UK with no single authority has the power to make the laws in the country. Any law which is to be proposed is first put through the first reading in Parliament. This is often considered as the first notice to the members of Parliament so that members can prepare for the discussion and debate.

On the second reading, the proposed law goes through scrutiny of the members and overall principles are considered on the floor. On the third reading, bill is debated in the parliament and voting on the bill also takes place. At this stage of the law making, Parliament actually extensively debates the law and all issues are brought forward by the legal representatives of the people to discuss the law and vote on it. Once bill is approved by the Parliament i.e. the House of Lords, it is than sent to the Queen for Royal Asent and once it is signed by Queen, it becomes law.

As such the overall law making authority in UK rests with the Parliament however, the overall law making also requires the approval of Queen to make them into a law. The Role of Queen however is considered as nominal as the final law making authority is Parliament. (Smith, 1990) The Prime Minister of the country is considered as the Head of Her Majesty’s Government and the PM, along with the cabinet is accountable to the Monarch, to the Parliament, to their political party and ultimately to the public.

It is also important to note that the position of PM in the country is not established under constitutional law in the country but it is created under the long established conventions in the country. Under the convention, it is held that the Monarch must appoint a Prime Minister in the country who can gain the confidence of the Parliament. It is also critical to note that the position of Prime Minister was not actually created under the law but evolved over the period of centuries. Prime Minister has both the legislative as well as executive powers and role and in the House of Commons he has the mandate to make laws with the overall goal of enacting the legislative agenda of the political party to which he or she belongs to.

(King, 2007) Bibliography King, A. (2007). The British Constitution. Oxford : University Press. Smith, G. (1990). A Constitutional and Legal History of England. Dorset : Dorset Press. Stevens, R. (2002). The English Judges. Oxford: Hart Publishing.