02.10 / Topic 10 of 11
How the UK Works
Parliament, courts, devolution and four nations, three legal systems.
The UK is one country with three separate legal systems: England & Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Wales shares courts with England but makes many of its own laws.
- 11
- Essential laws
- 03
- Chapters
- 06
- Weird ones
- 02
- Busted myths
AT A GLANCE · 02 KEY NUMBERS
CHAPTER A · 05 LAWS
How power works
Who makes the rules, and who checks them.
Parliamentary sovereignty
Parliament can make or unmake any law, and no Parliament can bind a future one.
What it means for youCourts can't strike down an Act of Parliament, but they can declare it incompatible with human rights.
In practice
- Courts can't overturn Acts of Parliament.
- Secondary laws made by ministers can be struck down if they go beyond their powers.
- The rule of law is recognised in the Constitutional Reform Act 2005.
Parliament Acts
The elected House of Commons wins over the House of Lords. The Lords can delay most bills by about a year, but not block them.
What it means for youBills that were in the government's election manifesto usually aren't blocked by the Lords.
In practice
- Money bills can only be delayed by one month.
- Used to pass laws like the Hunting Act 2004 and the War Crimes Act 1991.
Devolution
Power was handed to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, each with its own parliament or assembly.
What it means for youHealth, schools and housing law can differ in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Check where you live.
In practice
- Wales: the Senedd makes laws on health, education, transport and more. It grew to 96 members at the 2026 election.
- 16 and 17-year-olds can vote in Senedd and Welsh local elections.
- Scotland has its own parliament, courts and legal profession.
Local councils
Councils run local services like bins, roads, schools, social care and planning. Councillors are elected, usually for 4 years.
What it means for youFind your councillors on your council's website. They're often quicker than an MP for local problems.
In practice
- Some areas have two tiers (county and district); others have one unitary council.
- Many areas are being reorganised into single unitary councils.
- Parish and town councils handle very local matters.
The Supreme Court
The UK's highest court, created by the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 to replace the House of Lords' judicial role.
What it means for youIts hearings are open to the public and streamed online for free.
In practice
- Hears appeals on points of law of public importance.
- Top court for civil cases across the UK and criminal cases from England, Wales and NI (Scotland's top criminal court is its own High Court of Justiciary).
CHAPTER B · 02 LAWS
How laws are made
From an idea to an Act, plus the rules ministers make.
How a bill becomes law
A bill must pass through both Houses of Parliament and get Royal Assent before it becomes an Act.
What it means for youFollow any bill's progress, and see how your MP voted, on bills.parliament.uk.
In practice
- Each House debates it at second reading, examines it line by line in committee, then votes at third reading.
- The Commons and Lords pass amendments back and forth ('ping-pong') until they agree.
- Royal Assent was last refused in 1708.
Secondary legislation
Most detailed rules are made by ministers as 'statutory instruments', using powers given by Acts of Parliament.
What it means for youLots of everyday rules, from speed limits to benefit rates, are changed by statutory instruments.
In practice
- Far more statutory instruments are made each year than Acts of Parliament.
- Parliament can approve or reject them, but can't usually amend them.
- Courts can strike them down if they go beyond the powers in the parent Act.
CHAPTER C · 04 LAWS
Your voice
Voting, petitions, your MP and challenging decisions.
Elections Act
Voters need photo ID at polling stations for UK general elections and English local elections.
What it means for youAccepted ID includes passports, driving licences, older person's bus passes and the free Voter Authority Certificate.
In practice
- A free Voter Authority Certificate is available if you have no ID.
- General elections must be held at least every 5 years.
Contacting your MP
Your MP represents everyone in your constituency, whether or not you voted for them, and can take up problems for you.
What it means for youFind your MP at members.parliament.uk. Include your address so they know you're a constituent.
In practice
- MPs can raise issues with government departments and ask ministers questions.
- Find your MP and their contact details on the Parliament website.
- Councillors deal with local services like bins, roads and planning.
Petitions
Anyone in the UK can start or sign a petition on the official Parliament website.
What it means for you10,000 signatures gets a government response. 100,000 means it will be considered for debate.
In practice
- At 10,000 signatures, the government responds.
- At 100,000, it's considered for a debate in Parliament.
- Petitions are open for 6 months.
Judicial review
Courts can check whether a public body's decision was lawful, fair and rational, but not whether it was wise.
What it means for youAct fast: claims must usually be brought within 3 months. Legal aid may be available.
In practice
- Claims must be brought promptly and within 3 months of the decision.
- Common grounds are illegality, irrationality and unfair procedure.
- Courts can quash a decision, but usually send it back to be made again.
NOTES
Did you know?
NOTE 01The monarch hasn't refused Royal Assent to a bill since Queen Anne in 1708 (the Scottish Militia Bill).
NOTE 02By tradition no monarch has entered the House of Commons since Charles I tried to arrest five MPs in 1642.
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