Finding your way around an act
Download as PPT, PDF2 likes24,198 views
The document summarizes the structure and components of an act of legislation. It notes that acts begin with a short title and date, and may have sections that come into force gradually. The main body of an act contains sections covering its provisions. Supplemental sections include interpretation of terms and commencement details. Schedules provide additional supplementary information and can include other relevant documents.
Finding your way around an act
- 1. At the top of an act there is the Short title in this case the Human Rights Act, the date and chapter number Underneath is the longer title of the act (rarely used) and the date of Royal Assent. Some sections of acts come into force on this date and some come into force gradually over the following years.
- 2. Sections of an act…. After the title and heading the sections of the act follow. With most online sources there is a list of sections and you can jump straight to the section you are looking for.
- 3. Supplemental sections For most acts there is a supplemental section at the end of the act. There is usually a section called ‘Interpretation’ which lists terms used throughout the act and what interpretation is being used
- 4. The last section of every UK Act (before any schedules) is called “Short title, commencement, application and extent” Short title = how the act is cited – (1) Commencement = which sections come into force on Royal Assent and how others will come into force (Sec. of State uses Statutory Instruments) – (2) + (3) Extent = covers which part of the UK and any wider jurisdictions the act extends to – (6)
- 5. Schedules Schedules appear after the main sections of the act. They act like appendices and add supplementary information. They can sometimes contain all or part of other documents such as treaties. In this instance the first schedule of the Human Rights Act contains the European Convention of Human Rights (on which the act is based).