header-logo header-logo

Who makes UK law?

28 April 2023 / Nick Wrightson
Issue: 8022 / Categories: Features , Public , Constitutional law
printer mail-detail
Is the current approach to delegated legislation undermining the constitutional balance between executive & legislature? Nick Wrightson discusses the need for greater oversight
  • Today, most UK laws are made by government ministers with little parliamentary involvement, risking potentially serious consequences.
  • Tighter control over the use of delegated legislation is now required. A better system of scrutiny needs to be introduced. A reassertion of the boundary line between primary and delegated legislation is also called for.

Who makes UK law? Most people’s instinctive answer is likely to be that Parliament does. In recent years, Brexit has suffused our public debate with talk of restoring the supremacy of the Westminster Parliament, unfettered by EU laws made elsewhere. Muddying the waters a little, some have criticised ‘judicial overreach’ on the basis that, in our parliamentary democracy, responsibility for determining and changing our laws (as opposed to interpreting and applying them) should sit with Parliament, not unelected judges. Again, the central idea here is that legislative power rightly rests with Parliament.

A more nuanced response

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
The Court of Protection has ruled in Macpherson v Sunderland City Council that capacity must be presumed unless clearly rebutted. In this week's NLJ, Sam Karim KC and Sophie Hurst of Kings Chambers dissect the judgment and set out practical guidance for advisers faced with issues relating to retrospective capacity and/or assessments without an examination
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
back-to-top-scroll